IND vs SL: Lasith Malinga & Co Arrive In Guwahati For 3-Match T20I Series

The players were welcomed amid high security as the city has witnessed protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act

Under the leadership of spearhead Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lankan cricket team arrived in Guwhati on Thursday for the three-match T20I series against India. The players were welcomed amid high security as the city has witnessed protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The Sri Lankan unit headed straight to the team hotel amid thick security cover. The members of the Indian team are expected to arrive in batches on Friday for the series opener on Sunday. “Both the teams have optional training sessions, Sri Lanka followed by India in the evening,” an official of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) said.

Sri Lanka T20I squad led by Lasith Malinga left the island this morning for India to take part in the 3-match T20I series. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/iRtIUgX0mU

— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 2, 2020

Assam had witnessed widespread protests against the CAA in December, which affected Ranji and U-19 matches at the domestic level because of curfew. “But the situation is absolutely normal now and tourism is back in the state. We are hosting Khelo India Games from January 10 and about seven thousand players will participate,” ACA secretary Devajit Saikia said. “It’s now safe as any other place in the country. The state government is looking after the security arrangement and there’s no issue at all.” About 27,000 tickets of the 39,500-capacity Barasapra Stadium has already been sold out. “People were busy with the Christmas and New Year celebrations. We are expecting a last-minute ticket rush now,” he said. Sri Lanka squad: Lasith Malinga (captain), Danushka Gunatilleke, Avishka Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Dasan Fernando, Wanidu Raja, Kasun Lahiru Kumara, Kusal Mendis, Lakshan Moonakan.