Sri Lanka have been given a massive blow ahead of the Asia Cup 2023 final against India as off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana has been ruled out of the final on Sunday.
Why will Maheesh Theekshana not play in Asia Cup 2023 final?
Maheesh Theekshana suffered a grade two hamstring tear in the match against Pakistan, where he hobbled to complete his spell in a match-winning cause. He will miss the Asia Cup final against India on Sunday in Colombo. Off-spinner Sahan Arachchige will replace Theekshana in the squad, and could even play in the final vs India.
Theekshana has taken 8 wickets in 5 matches in the Asia Cup 2023.
Sri Lanka are optimistic about Maheesh Theekshana’s chances of recovering fully before the World Cup 2023 starts in three weeks’ time.
Sri Lanka, who defeated Pakistan and Bangladesh and suffered a close-fought loss to India, are now completely without their entire first-choice five-man attack as their injury list increases.
They were already without Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumaran, and now Theekshana is added to the injury concerns. All five, however, are expected to get fit for the World Cup. In their absence, Pramod Madushan, Dunith Wellalage, and Matheesha Pathirana have performed brilliantly to stake a claim for inclusion in the World Cup 2023 squad.
Coming to the Asia Cup final, Sri Lanka will have noted India’s struggles against the Bangladesh attack of Shakib Al Hasan, Nasum Ahmed, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Mahedi Hasan in India’s loss on Friday in Colombo.
Fans flooded twitter with various reactions after Maheesh Theekshana was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 final:
Meanwhile, India have also been handed a slight injury concern with Axar Patel suffering a hand injury in the match against Bangladesh. The selectors have decided to fly out Washington Sundar to Colombo immediately as a back-up to Axar.
Axar played a fighting knock to keep India alive in the chase vs Bangladesh, but couldn’t take the side over the line. Because of his good batting form, and the spin-friendly pitch in Colombo, Axar stood a decent chance to play in the final vs Sri Lanka.
