Sri Lanka have left out Lahiru Thirimanne, vice-captain in their previous ODI series against Pakistan in August, from their squad for the first three games of the five-ODI series in India in November. Wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal, spinner Rangana Herath, and he injured fast bowler Lasith Malinga were the others omitted.

Uncapped fast bowler Lahiru Gamage, wicketkeeper-batsmen Kusal Perera and Niroshan Dickwella, and left-arm allrounder Chaturanga de Silva were their replacements. Sri Lanka are touring India to fill the void left by West Indies pulling out of their tour because of a payments-structure dispute with WICB and West Indies Players' Association.

Though Thirimanne was the vice-captain for the home ODIs against Pakistan he did not play a game in that series. His last 50-over appearance for Sri Lanka was against South Africa in July, when he made 15, 36 and 22. He then played one Test each against South Africa and Pakistan and made 80 runs in four innings.

Chandimal has been in and out of Sri Lanka's one-day side in recent times. He has played only one ODI since the tour of England in May, against Pakistan in Hambantota where he was dismissed for 6. While it is likely Herath has just been rested from the India ODIs, Malinga is unavailable because of an ankle injury that requires a major surgery.

Gamage had been called up to the Sri Lanka squad as injury cover for Shaminda Eranga during the home Tests against Pakistan. Gamage, 26, plays for Chilaw Marians Cricket Club and has 96 first-class wickets at 33.22.

Squad: Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Ashan Priyanjan, Niroshan Dickwella, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Gamage, Chaturanga de Silva, Seekuge Prasanna, Suraj Randiv.

(Cricinfo)