Sri Lanka has been hit by a major injury scare just ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Kusal Perera, the aggressive left-handed opener, suffered a shoulder injury during a warm-up match against Bangladesh, putting his World Cup participation in doubt.
The incident occurred during the ongoing warm-up game between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Guwahati. Kusal Perera started impressively with the bat, racing to 34 runs off just 24 balls, including six fours. However, his innings was cut short as he experienced pain in his right shoulder, forcing him to retire hurt.
Before leaving the field, Kusal Perera had called the physiotherapist to assess his shoulder, indicating that he was struggling with discomfort. Given the impending World Cup, he decided not to take any risks and opted to leave the field. In his absence, Kusal Mendis took his place in the middle order.
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Sri Lanka will be hoping that Kusal Perera’s injury is not serious and that he can regain fitness in time for their first match in the World Cup. The southpaw had recently returned to the ODI team for the Asia Cup after more than two years, during which he battled several injuries. While he played two matches in the Asia Cup, he failed to make a significant impact.
However, Kusal Perera is known for his ability to take on any bowling attack when in form. With over 3,000 runs in 109 ODIs, including six centuries and 15 half-centuries, he is a vital part of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. Sri Lanka is scheduled to open their World Cup campaign on October 7 against South Africa in Delhi.
As Sri Lanka navigates through injury concerns and finalizes their World Cup preparations, cricket fans anxiously await updates on Kusal Perera’s condition and his potential participation in the highly anticipated tournament.