Here’s why Maheesh Theekshana is Not Playing against India today in Asia Cup Final

Against all the odds, Sri Lanka has been in good form recently. The country emerged as the winners in the Asia Cup, held last year in 2022. However, this year Sri Lanka seems to have lost some of its key players for the Asia Cup tournament 2023.

Of one of its prominent bowlers, there is Maheesh Theekshana who is a right arm off spinner who has been ruled out of today’s final clash off between Sri Lanka and India.
Maheesh played his last match on Thursday against Pakistan in Sri Lanka’s second last Super 4 stage of the ongoing Asia Cup.

The reason behind Maheesh’s dismissal

Sri Lankan Maheesh Theekshana sustained a hamstring injury while bowling when it faced Pakistan on Thursday. Theekshana, having suffered the injury, bowled another three overs in the game when it was clearly visible on the young man’s face that he was in pain.

Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka confirmed his injury and said that “He won’t be able to take part in this game since he got a grade 3 injury, but he will be there for the World Cup”. The statement was made by Shanaka on the eve of the final clash between both the countries.

Who will replace Theekshana?

The 23 year old spinner will be replaced by top order batsman Sahan Arachchige who will join Sri Lankan squad while the former undergoes rehabilitation.

Notably, Maheesh is Sri Lanka’s first bowler to have taken most ODI wickets in the year 2023,his highest being 31 scalps in 15 matches. Though he will not be playing against India today, he will be definitely seen in the upcoming World premiering in the month of October. Sri Lanka will be playing its first match for the World Cup against South Africa on 7th of October.

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