Sri Lanka will begin their two-Test series against India with two significant gaps in their batting line-up, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis ruled out of the opening Test in Galle from August 15.
In their absence, the hosts have turned to experience, recalling wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella to the Test side after a three-year absence. Dickwella is set to take over the gloves from Kusal Mendis, who has been ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury. Nissanka, meanwhile, misses the Galle Test as he continues his recovery.
The 16-member squad, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, also includes a blend of established names and relatively inexperienced options. Sri Lanka will be looking to bounce back after a 1-0 Test series defeat in the West Indies, with Lahiru Udara emerging as their leading run-scorer in the series.
Nishan Madushka is another player who could be asked to shoulder greater responsibility at the top of the order. He strengthened his case ahead of the India series by scoring twin fifties against India in the recent practice game.
Behind them, Sri Lanka have retained the experience of Dinesh Chandimal, while Kamindu Mendis has been named vice-captain. Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha add to a middle order that will have to compensate for the absence of Nissanka and Kusal Mendis.
SRI LANKA SQUAD FOR FIRST TEST
Dhananjaya De Silva (Captain), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis (Vice Captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (Wicket Keeper), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
LOTS OF OPTIONS IN SPIN
The biggest point of interest, however, could come from Sri Lanka’s spin options and the conditions in Galle. Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis are the frontline spin choices, with the pair expected to play a central role on a surface traditionally associated with turn. Prabath has picked up 81 wickets in 11 matches in Galle, one of his favourite hunting grounds.
Jayasuriya, a left-arm orthodox spinner, has established himself as one of Sri Lanka’s principal red-ball weapons, while Ramesh Mendis provides a right-arm off-spin option. Their presence gives Dhananjaya a potentially potent spin combination against an Indian batting line-up that will be tested on a turning surface.
Sri Lanka have considerable depth beyond their two frontline spinners. Captain Dhananjaya can contribute with right-arm off-break, while Kamindu Mendis is an ambidextrous spinner capable of bowling both right-arm off-break and slow left-arm orthodox. Sonal Dinusha is another slow left-arm orthodox option.
Uncapped off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha provides yet another choice. The right-arm off-spinner has earned his maiden Test call-up and gives Sri Lanka the option of fielding a third specialist spinner if conditions demand it. He bowled more than 30 overs in the warm-up match for Sri Lanka XI against India last week and picked up three wickets.
The pace department features Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka, giving Dhananjaya further options alongside his spin attack.
For Sri Lanka, though, the immediate challenge is replacing the production and experience lost through Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. The recall of Dickwella provides familiarity behind the stumps, while the combination of Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis – backed by a deep pool of spin options – could prove central to their hopes of putting India under pressure in Galle.
India also have their fair share of injury concerns as World No. 1 pacer Jasprit Bumrah will miss the series along with all-rounder Washington Sundar and No. 3 batter Sai Sudharsan. Sarfaraz Khan was called in as a replacement for Sudharsan while Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler Auqib Nabi replaced Bumrah.
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