The uncapped offspinner Ashian Daniel has been included after strong showings in domestic List A cricket
Rajapaksa’s exclusion, though, continues to be controversial, particularly in light of Sri Lanka’s four losses in Australia. Although Rajapaksa’s weight and fitness had long been concerns, his performances in the middle order had largely been good, even if his fielding was sometimes poor. In Australia, it had been Sri Lanka’s batters – and the middle order in particular – that had been their major weakness.
Sri Lanka play three T20Is against India, the first of which is set to take place in Lucknow on Thursday.
Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Ashian Daniel
Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka correspondent. @afidelf