The battle of the World Cup has begun. Sri Lanka's injury-hit World Cup campaign will begin tomorrow (October 7). Before that, the Lankans have received bad news.

Maheesh Theekshana will not play in Sri Lanka's first World Cup game against South Africa, head coach Chris Silverwood announced the day before the game. The spinner is still not fully healed from the hamstring tear he suffered in the Asia Cup.

They had to play without several important players in the Asia Cup. Sri Lanka have come to play without Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera in the World Cup. Theekshana, who was suffering from an injury, was knocked out of the first match.

"Theekshana is still recovering from a hamstring injury, so he won't be available for this game. But we expect him to be available very soon. The rest of them are fine,” Silverwood said.

Hasaranga was ruled out before the World Cup. Theekshana, another big hope of the spin department, has been also ruled out. As a result, the onus of spin bowling in Sri Lanka's first match against South Africa will be on young Dunith Wellalage and all-rounder Dhananjaya De Silva.

Besides, leg spinner Dushan Hemantha is also expected to get a place in the main XI. In India's conditions, the team will be looking at him as well. Wellalage caught everyone's attention by bowling brilliantly in the last Asia Cup. This time the challenge of doing well on the big stage of the World Cup is in front of him.

Sri Lanka are going to start their World Cup campaign tomorrow with a match against South Africa on October 7. The match will start at 2:30 pm Bangladesh time.