Sri Lanka’s quest for a semi-final spot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup faces a new challenge as key bowler Lahiru Kumara is sidelined for the rest of the competition.Kumara sustained a left thigh injury during a training session in Pune before the crucial game against Afghanistan at MCA International Stadium on Monday. He has been substituted by another fast bowler, Dushmantha Chameera.

The Event Technical Committee green-lighted Chameera’s inclusion on Sunday. The seasoned right-arm pacer might be considered to fill Kumara’s shoes in the upcoming game against Afghanistan.

Even though Chameera boasts over 100 caps for Sri Lanka, Kumara’s absence will be deeply felt, especially after his significant role in Sri Lanka’s surprise win over England in Bengaluru the previous week.In that game, Kumara claimed crucial wickets, including England’s captain Jos Buttler and all-rounders Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone. Overall, he has taken five wickets in four tournament games.

With Chameera’s entry, Sri Lanka has made a total of three changes to their initial 15-member team since the World Cup began. Earlier, Chamika Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews joined the squad due to injuries to captain Dasun Shanaka and Matheesha Pathirana.

Presently, Sri Lanka has secured two victories in five World Cup matches and holds the fifth position in the group rankings, with four more games to go.

Sri Lanka’s team includes: Kusal Mendis (captain), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, and Chamika Karunaratne.