Dasun Shanaka will lead Sri Lanka in the forthcoming World Cup in India, starting next month.

However, injured spinning all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who has a hamstring injury, is likely to miss the first two or three games, along with another injured spinner, Maheesh Theekshana.

It is learnt that Kusal Mendis, who had a discussion with the probable Sri Lanka team members for the World Cup last week in Shanaka’s absence, will be Shanaka’s deputy.

As there was talk of Shanaka being dropped from the captaincy on Monday (18), Mendis, during the discussion at a certain leading club in Colombo, had had the blessing of those who were present, who had pledged to give him “150% to reach the semi-final of the tournament”.

Meanwhile, pacie Dushmatha Chameera, who is yet to recover from an arm and rib injury, is unlikely to make it to the final 15-player squad.

Sri Lanka, which is going to depend very much on spin, has a fragile pace attack only comprising young Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, and Matheesha Pathirana.

What is funny yet true is that a strong social media campaign eventually convinced two of the three members of the National Selection Committee – Romesh Kaluwitharana and Hemantha Wickramaratne – to vote for the incumbent captain even after it had been decided to sack him on Monday.

With regard to eventually including a leading injured all-rounder on the side, there had been strong opposition from another senior player, owing to an individual dispute between them.

The dropping of veteran Angelo Mathews had also been due to another personal dispute, this time between him and a leading official who has the upper hand in team selection, over an incident that had happened about 10 years ago.

Now-popular Selection Committee Head Wickramasinghe, who had allegedly been adamant that Shanaka should be removed from captaincy due to his poor form, is expected to leave for India on 26 September, along with the Sri Lankan team.

Probable SL World Cup squad (15)

Dasun Shanaka (Captain)

Pathum Nissanka 

Dimuth Karunaratne 

Kusal Janith Perera 

Kusal Mendis (V. Capt.)

Sadeera Samarawickrama 

Charith Asalanka 

Dhananjaya de Silva 

Wanindu Hasaranga (depending on fitness)

Dunith Wellalage 

Maheesh Theekshana 

Kasun Rajitha 

Dilshan Madushanka 

Matheesha Pathirana 

Lahiru Kumara

Travelling reserves (2)

Chamika Karunaratne 

Dushan Hemantha