Maheesh Theekshana has been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s opening 2023 World Cup clash against South Africa in Delhi on October 7 after failing to recover from a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old spinner injured his right hamstring in the Asia Cup Super 4 match against Pakistan and subsequently missed the final match against India. Theekshana was selected for Sri Lanka’s World Cup squad despite not having recovered from his injury, but was expected to be fit for the opening match against the Proteas.
He did not go to India with the Sri Lankan team on September 26 and was scheduled to leave on October 3.
However, the team’s spin department was significantly weakened the day before the team started participating in the event, with Teekshana being ruled out of the match and all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga also absent due to a hamstring injury. Hasaranga was not included in the World Cup squad and will only be selected as a substitute if he recovers by the end of the event.
Tekshana took 44 wickets in 27 matches, averaging 23.45 wickets, which has dropped to 17.45 this year. Along with Hasaranga, Teekshana has proven to be lethal in the middle overs and her absence will be a big mistake.
Sri Lanka will also be without speedy 31-year-old Dushmanta Chameera, who has not recovered from a torn pectoralis muscle, who will miss the World Cup. Rahil Kumara and Dilshan Madhushanka, who were injured during the Asia Cup, were included in the World Cup squad after passing fitness tests.
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