Sri Lanka suffered a major blow ahead of the Test series against India as wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the home series due to an injury.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selection panel confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella, who could play his first Test in over three years, makes the 16-member squad in place of Mendis.
The 31-year-old Mendis injured his hamstring in a domestic game, which ruled him out of the India series.
The opening match of the series will be played at the Galle International Stadium from August 15, while the second will begin on August 23 at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club.
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Meanwhile, Dickwella, 33, a left-hand batter, has not played a Test since March 2023 after disciplinary action against him.
He has represented Sri Lanka in 54 Test matches, scoring 2757 runs at an average of 30.97 with 22 half-centuries.
Moreover, Pathum Nissanka was also unavailable for selection as he recovers from a wrist injury.
Sri Lanka squad
Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
