Sri Lankan selectors have come hard on the non-performing candidates, starting from youngster Kusal Mendis. The talented middle-order batsman has been dropped from the Sri Lankan team for the upcoming Test series against India. Mendis could just manage 57 runs in four innings against Pakistan, which led to his axing.
Apart from him, Kaushal Silva and Nuwan Pradeep have also been dropped. Silva could not grab the comeback chance provided to him by the selectors. He scored 67 runs in four innings. Coming to Pradeep, he made a comeback the Test side after being ruled out of the series against India due to an injury but he failed to impress and could just pick three wickets.
In what comes as a good news for Sri Lanka, a fit Angelo Mathews has returned to bolster the squad for a stern tour. He was in the squad for the Pakistan Test series but found himself being ruled out due to an injury. He went onto miss the limited-overs leg as well due to the same reason.
Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjaya de Silva have also made a comeback to the Test squad. Shanaka has made one Test appearance for Sri Lanka, which came in Leeds last year against England. Dhananjaya, on the other hand, has played ten Tests and his last appearance in this format came against India early this year. He has made a comeback to the team riding on his show in ‘A’ series against Windies.
The Test series between India and Sri Lanka starts on November 16, with the first match to be played at Eden Gardens. Delhi and Nagpur will host the last two Tests. Prior to the start of the series, Sri Lanka will face Naman Ojha led Board President’s XI squad in a two-day practice game, to be played at Eden Gardens.
Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrema, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Lahiru Gamage, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Roshen Silva.
Video of the day –