The 18-member Sri Lanka Test squad led by Dimuth Karunaratne has checked in Dharamsala on February 25 (Friday) for the two-Test series starting March 4.
Out of the 18-member Test squad, two players are unfit. While Kusal Mendis’ participation is subjected to fitness after he tested positive for Covid-19, Ramesh Mendis will not take part in the series due to an injury. Kusal will also miss the two T20Is over the weekend along with Maheesh Theekshana. The young spinner, Theekshana has been ruled out of the ongoing T20I series due to hamstring injury.
Wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella is also making a comeback after he was suspended for breaching bio-bubble in England in 2021. Dickwella has been drafted into the T20 squad as well along with Dhananjaya de Silva.
Also, the spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga will return back home after recovering from Covid-19. Hasaranga was ruled out of the ongoing T20I series after contracting the virus.
Sri Lanka are still searching for their first Test win on Indian soil. They played their first Test in India in September 1982. Also, Sri Lanka have not beaten India in Test cricket since August 2015. The last time Sri Lanka toured India for red-ball cricket was in 2017 when two Tests ended in a draw whereas hosts won in Nagpur by an innings and 239 runs.
It will be a historic Test series as Rohit Sharma will take over red-ball captaincy. It will be his first Test as captain. Rohit was given the top job after Virat Kohli stepped down from red-ball captaincy following the series defeat in South Africa.
On the other hand, it will be a Test series to remember for Kohli as well. He will play his 100th Test at Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. Also, it will be another chance for Kohli to end the drought of centuries in home conditions.
Sri Lanka Test squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva (Vicevc), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrema, Lasith Embuldeniya
