Revealed: Why Angelo Mathews isn't selected in Sri Lanka's T20I squad for India series?

Angelo Mathews has played 90 T20Is but is unlikely to be picked again.

Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews‘ T20I career is all but over, as indicated by Sri Lanka’s chief selector Upul Tharanga. Despite being in good form in T20 cricket in 2024, Mathews wasn’t picked for Sri Lanka’s upcoming home T20I series against India.

Tharanga said that they are looking to build their side for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, and the 37-year-old Mathews doesn’t fit in their plans anymore.

Angelo Mathews was recalled into Sri Lanka’s T20I setup earlier this year with a view to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June. He was Sri Lanka’s third-highest scorer in the tournament, though with only 62 runs in three innings as the Island nation suffered a group-stage exit, which included a loss against Bangladesh.

We told Angelo Mathews he wasn’t in our plans for the next World Cup: Upul Tharanga

Then in the recent Lanka Premier League season, Mathews was impressive with the bat for Kandy Falcons, scoring 261 runs at a strike rate of 151, thus proving that he is one of the best middle-order T20 batters in Sri Lanka.

However, he was omitted from Sri Lanka’s squad to face India for the three-match T20I series, starting July 27.

Chief selector Tharanga was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo, “When we came in [as selectors] we spoke to Angie about playing in this past World Cup, that was the plan. But after the tournament we spoke again, and this time we told him he wasn’t in our plans for the next World Cup.

“But during the brief time he was in the side after we brought him in, he played well. And in the LPL as well he did well as a finisher. But we need to look to the future. There’s a big gap to fill when it comes to an allrounder in the side – we have about two-three new players in mind to slot into that role. We’ll give them an opportunity and get them ready for the next World Cup.”

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket for IPL 2024 Live Score & IPL Points Table,  on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.