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Sri Lanka fear ICC will ban Tharanga

Hosts make two additions to their squad to cover injury, possible suspension of their skipper

Sri Lanka are anticipating skipper Upul Tharanga will be suspended by the International Cricket Council for yet another over-rate offence in the second one-day international against India.

Sri Lanka have called Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne into their squad for the remaining three ODIs, partly in the belief that Tharanga will cop a ban after his side was found to be short of the required rate in the second ODI on Thursday, which India won by three wickets.

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Given Tharanga was banned for two matches during the ICC Champions Trophy in June for a similar offence, Sri Lanka have moved quickly to cover the possible absence of their skipper.

"We have been found short of the over rate, but we don't know exactly how many games Tharanga will be suspended for - if any," Sri Lanka team manager Asanka Gurusinha told ESPN.

"We are hoping to hear from the ICC later today."

The additions to the squad have also been made to cover for Danushka Gunathilaka, who injured his shoulder on Thursday and could miss the rest of the series.

Image Id: 9EABF8FF208D418F9644936031330F44 Image Caption: Tharanga's Sri Lankan side fell just short of victory in the second ODI // Getty

"With Danushka it's just a strain, I think," Gurusinha said.

"But the thing with those injuries, our physio says, is that you don't know until the next 48 hours the extent of anything.

"Because we don't know the confirmation of Upul's suspension as well, we are bringing two experienced batsmen to the squad to cover up."

The ICC are yet to comment on what punishment, if any, will be given to Tharanga.

Tharanga was banned during the Champions Trophy after he was charged with a "serious" over rate offence following Sri Lanka's match against South Africa. 

The Sri Lankans took more than four overs to bowl their 50 overs and were ruled to be four overs short of the required rate.

The third ODI is in Pallekele on Sunday.