Kapugedera to lead after Tharanga ban

Sri Lanka will be without skipper Upal Tharanaga for Sunday’s third one-day international against India after he was suspended for two matches for a serious over-rate offence.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) deemed Sri Lanka to be lagging three overs behind when their allotted time to bowl 50 overs was complete in the second ODI in Pallekele on Thursday. 

Tharanga, as skipper, copped two suspension points, which equates to a ban of one Test, two ODIs or T20Is, whatever comes first.

Not only has Sri Lanka lost their captain, the players in the nine-wicket second ODI defeat have been fined 40 per cent of their match fee.

It’s not the first time this year Tharanga has been suspended for the same offence.

In June’s Champions Trophy tournament in England, he was banned for two matches due to a serious slow-over rate offence. 

It now means if he commits another breach of the same nature in an ODI from now until June 3 next year he will be dealt a minimum of eight suspension points.

Sri Lanka host India in the third ODI at Pallekele today, needing a win to keep the series alive after losses in Kandy and Dambulla. 

Chamara Kapugedera will captain the hosts in Tharanga’s absence. 

"It is a huge honour for me to captain my country," Kapugedera said, who averages 21.22 in 100 ODIs. 

"I am really happy to get this opportunity. 

"I am not here to look at the past. Now it is about what is going to happen tomorrow."