Follow UsSri Lanka have announced an 18-man squad for the two-match Test series in India. The squad marks the return of Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis, all of whom were not included in Sri Lanka's last Test assignment - the two-match Test series against West Indies three months ago.
Dickwella and Mendis were both serving a ban for bio-bubble breach in England at the time. Mendis' inclusion is subjected to his fitness. The right-hander copped a hamstring injury during the fifth T20I against Australia last week. He didn't take part in the first T20I versus India in Lucknow and has been withdrawn from the T20I squad. The 27-year old has joined the Test squad in Mohali, linking up with the likes of the Test skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, the veteran Angelo Mathews and other additions to the tour.
Wanindu Hasaranga continues to be unavailable due to Covid. The leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay has earned his maiden call-up to the Test side to fill the void.
The squad is approved by Sri Lanka's Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa, who incidentally is the son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, also has all-rounder Ramesh Mendis who is currently nursing an injury.
Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva (vc), Kusal Mendis (subject to fitness), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrema, Lasith Embuldeniya, Ramesh Mendis
Suranga Lakmal will retire from international cricket after the series.
In another major development, the mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana is withdrawn from the T20I squad due to the hamstring injury he suffered in Australia. Alongside Hasaranga, he is the other Sri Lankan player who will return home.