Sri Lanka have unveiled a youthful, forward-looking squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India, with 17-year-old ambidextrous spinner Shashini Gimhani among the standout inclusions. The selection signals a clear shift towards building depth and experience ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup in England.
Gimhani is joined by 23-year-old seamer Kawya Kavindi and 19-year-old fast bowler Rashmika Sewwandi as part of a new-look bowling group, while 26-year-old left-arm spinner Nimesha Madushani is the only uncapped player in the squad.
Despite the youth push, captain Chamari Athapaththu will still have experience to lean on. Veteran spinner Inoka Ranaweera, 39, returns to the squad, while the batting unit remains largely settled and seasoned at international level following extensive exposure at recent global events.
Several senior players have been left out as Sri Lanka refresh their line-up. Wicketkeeper-batter Anushka Sanjeewani, who has featured in 86 T20Is, misses out, as do experienced bowlers Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari and Achini Kulasuriya, all of whom were part of the squad that toured New Zealand earlier this year.
Gimhani is widely regarded as one of Sri Lanka’s most exciting prospects. Capable of bowling wristspin with either arm — though primarily left-arm — she earned her recall after strong performances against Australia Under-19 in September. She has already made a promising start to her senior T20I career, claiming six wickets in five matches at an impressive economy rate of 5.53.
Kavindi brings some experience of her own, with ten T20Is to her name, while Sewwandi has featured once at international level and continues her development at the highest tier. Seamer Malki Madara, 24, is another notable inclusion after impressing in ODIs this year, and Malsha Shehani, a useful seam-bowling allrounder, also retains her place.
While the bowling unit undergoes change, the batting core remains familiar. Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika de Silva and Kavisha Dilhari — all key contributors at the recent ODI World Cup — form the backbone of the line-up. Kaushini Nuthyangana is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties in Sanjeewani’s absence.
The five-match T20I series begins in Visakhapatnam on December 21, before concluding with two games in Thiruvananthapuram, offering Sri Lanka a valuable opportunity to test their next generation against elite opposition.
Sri Lanka squad:
Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika De Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Imesha Dulani, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Malsha Shehani, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashini Gimhani, Nimesha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara
