Eshan Malinga named to Sri Lankan ODI squad for New Zealand tour

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the 17-member men’s squad for the upcoming three-match away ODI series against the hosts New Zealand. New IPL joinee Eshan Malinga has earned the national team call-up for the forthcoming ODI series.

Sri Lanka are ready for the white-ball series against the hosts New Zealand. After the three-match T20I series, which will run between December 28, 2024, and January 2, 2025, they will battle in the three-match ODI series. Wellington, Hamilton, and Auckland will host the ODIs on January 5, 8, and 11, respectively.

Eshan Malinga earned national team call-up

The 23-year-old Sri Lankan right-arm fast-medium bowler Eshan Malinga has earned his maiden national team call-up. Recently, he was in the news after SunRisers Hyderabad bought him for INR 1.20 crore for IPL 2025.

Eshan has taken 20 wickets in 12 List A games and 13 wickets in 13 T20s. Also, he has picked up 39 wickets in 16 first-class cricket. In the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024-25 last October, the fast bowler took six wickets in five matches.

Dilshan Madushanka dropped, Lahiru Kumara and Wanindu Hasaranga returned

The 24-year-old left-arm Dilshan Madushanka has been dropped from the ODI squad. While he was the third-leading wicket-taker in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India with 21 wickets, he picked up 14 wickets in 11 ODIs in 2024.

While Lahiru Kumara has returned to the ODI format, Nuwanidu Fernando joined the Lankan ODI squad at the cost of Sadeera Samarawickrama’s drop. All-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has returned to the ODI squad after recovering from injury.

Sri Lanka aren’t in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, it will be a good preparation for the hosts New Zealand, who will also participate in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting in February 2025.

Sri Lankan full ODI squad for New Zealand tour

Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga