Warnapura and Mubarak get late call-ups to ODI squad

Sri Lanka have made changes to their squad for the five-ODI series against India, bringing in left-hand batsmen Jehan Mubarak and Malinda Warnapura. The 15-member squad does not include allrounder Kaushalya Weeraratne, who was selected in the original list of 14.

Warnapura and Mubarak will also feature in a Sri Lankan XI that will take on the Indians in a warm-up match at the P Saranvanamuttu Stadium in Colombo on Friday. Chamara Kapugedera has been named captain of that side, which includes Mahela Udawatte, Chamara Silva, Weeraratne, Dilhara Fernando and Thilan Thushara. Kaushal Silva, the former Under-19 player, was chosen as wicketkeeper while legspinner Malinda Bandara provides the slow-bowling option.

Mubarak had not been selected in Sri Lanka's initial 14-member squad for the India ODIs but was in the 15 chosen for the Champions Trophy. He was to tour with the Sri Lanka A team to South Africa but will now stay back with the senior team. Kanchana Gunawardene, the Nondescripts Cricket Club opening batsman, replaces him in the A team.

Warnapura, 29, has only played one ODI, against Pakistan last year. He was in impressive form in the Test series against India, which Sri Lanka won 2-1. He scored 243 runs at 60.75, with a hundred in the first Test at the SSC, and two fifties.

Sri Lankan XI (from):
Chamara Kapugedera (captain), Upul Tharanga, Mahela Udawatte, Malinda Warnapura, Jehan Mubarak, Chamara Silva, Kaushal Silva (wk), Malinga Bandara, Kaushalya Weeraratne, Dilhara Fernando, Thilan Thushara, Chanaka Welegedara.