Sri Lanka Cricket announces squad for first Test against India

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced the 15 man squad for the upcoming first Test against India. The first Test of the three-match Test series will be played in Galle commencing from July 26. SLC released the statement regarding the squad details in the media on Sunday. The Minister of Sport in Sri Lanka, Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara MP, ratified the squad. The squad is pretty much the same that had recently played in the one off Test against Zimbabwe.

Regular skipper Dinesh Chandimal misses out from the squad due to an injury. In his absence, veteran bowler Rangana Herath has been named as the stand in skipper of the team. He will have the services of Upul Tharanga, Nuwan Pradeep, and Angelo Mathews as the other senior members in the team. The core of the squad remains the same with Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, and Danushka Gunathilaka being the top order batsmen.

In the middle order, the services of Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, and wicket keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella will fit in the frame of things. Among the all-rounders, Asela Gunaratne and Dilruwan Perera have been named in the squad. In the bowling deparment, Lahiru Kumara and Suranga Lakmal have retained their places in the squad. Malinda Pushpakumara is the solitary new face in the squad.

Talking about the most recent form, Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe in their home game recently. Prior to that, they were stunned by a series leveling effort from Bangladesh. Earlier this year, they had faced a whitewash defeat during their tour to South Africa. On the contrary, the Indian team has been in a rollicking form in the longest format of the game.

Sri Lanka Squad:

Rangana Herath (c), Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Malinda Pushpakumara, Nuwan Pradeep.