Cricket: Tharanga to lead Sri Lanka in ODI series against India

Pallekele: Senior batsman Upul Tharanga will lead a 15-man Sri Lanka squad in the the five-match One-day International (ODI) series against India that begins in Dambulla on Sunday.
Tharanga endured a horrendous Test series against India, scoring only 88 runs in six innings, which Sri Lanka lost by a comprehensive 0-3 margin.
But the upcoming series will be the left-handed batsman's first in-charge of the team after Angelo Mathews gave up the ODI captaincy post the 2-3 loss against Zimbabwe at home in July.
While Mathews is still part of the squad, seasoned pacer Lasith Malinga has also made a comeback.
There are two other changes from the Sri Lankan squad which featured in the last three ODIs against Zimbabwe.
Pacer Nuwan Pradeep and all-rounder Asela Gunaratne are out due to injuries and their places in the side has been taken by young fast bowler Lahiru Kumara and left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara, who both featured in the recent Test series against the Indians.
Skipper Tharanga has called for support from his countrymen ahead of what should prove to be another tough outing against the higher-ranked India.
"Every team goes through a rough patch," he said. "This is something that happens in cycles to every team and every nation no matter how great a cricketing nation they are. The support of our fans plays a big role in lifting the morale of the team."
"We play for our country and our goal is to bring pride to our family of 20 million in this nation - so your support is something that matters greatly to us," Tharanga added.
Sri Lanka last played India in an ODI series in November 2014-15 and were blanked 0-5.
The Islanders, however, upset India in their group game at The Oval in the recent Champions Trophy.
Sri Lanka ODI squad: Upul Tharanga (capt), Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera, Milinda Siriwardana, Malinda Pushpakumara, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando.