The Sri Lanka Cricket Board on Wednesday (August 12) announced Sri Lanka’s squad for the first Test of the upcoming two-match Test series against India. For the series opener, scheduled to start on Saturday (August 15) at Galle International Stadium, Sri Lanka will be without Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Both Nissanka and Mendis are out of action due to injury-related issues.
While Nissanka is recovering from a wrist injury, Mendis is out of action due to a hamstring injury that he suffered while playing in the Lanka Premier League.
33-year-old Niroshan Dickwella, who last played a Test match for Sri Lanka in March 2023, is back in the side and is likely to be the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter.
Dhananjaya de Silva will captain the hosts
in the home series against India, while batting all-rounder Kamindu Mendis has been named as his deputy. Dinesh Chandimal and Nishan Madushka are among the experienced batters in the Test squad, and the onus of spin bowling will be on Prabath Jayasuriya.
Prabath Jayasuriya is Sri Lanka’s highest wicket-taker in the World Test Championship (100 wickets), and he has picked up more than 80 Test wickets at Galle International Stadium. He will be supported by Ramesh Mendis, who has 71 wickets to his name in 16 Tests played so far.
Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka are the four fast bowlers included for the series opener in Sri Lanka’s squad.
25-year-old left-arm fast bowler Madushanka has only played one Test for the Islanders and that too was way back in July 2023. He however failed to take even one wicket in that match against Pakistan at Sinahlese Sports Club in Colombo.
Off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha and top-order batter Pasindu Sooriyabandara are the two uncapped players in Sri Lanka’s squad for the first Test in Galle.
In the absence of Nissanka, Nishan Madushka and Lahiru Udara are set to be the two openers for Sri Lanka. They also opened the innings in the second Test against the West Indies in July 2026.
Sri Lanka’s squad for 1st Test against India: Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis (VC), Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
