Last Updated on 5 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey
Sri Lanka has named a 16-man squad for the first Test against India to be played from August 15 to 19 at Galle International Cricket Stadium. Dhananjaya De Silva has been named captain while Kamindu Mendis will be the vice-captain.
The two series will form part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Points from both games will be crucial for the teams as they look to improve their positions on the table. The series will also see India returning to Sri Lanka for a Test tour after nine years.
Sri Lanka will be coming into the series on the back of a bad result against West Indies in June. They were beaten by 217 runs in that game and the hosts will have plenty to improve on ahead of a tough home assignment against India.
Spin to be a key factor in Galle
Conditions in Galle are likely to favour the spinners, and the Sri Lankan squad has been selected keeping various spin options in mind. Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis will likely take on most of the spin workload, with Kamindu Mendis also an option with the ball. Sri Lanka has also added Keshara Nuwantha for some more variety.
Four pace bowlers have been picked in the form of Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka. This combination gives Sri Lanka different options depending on the behaviour of the surface during the game. Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella has also made the cut.
There has been mixed experience in the squad with younger players. Dinesh Chandimal remains an important senior player but players such as Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, and Sonal Dinusha have been given a chance to push their Test claims. Milan Rathnayake also offers one more bowling option to the group.
Sri Lanka Full 16-Member Squad
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.
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