In the absence of regular captain Dinesh Chandimal, Rangana Herath will lead Sri Lanka in the first Test against India, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed on Sunday (July 23) while announcing the 15-man squad. Chandimal, who was handed the Test captaincy earlier this month, was ruled out of the Galle Test after being diagnosed with pneumonia.
Herath had earlier led Sri Lanka to a 2-0 win in Zimbabwe in 2016-17, picking up a total of 19 wickets at an average of 15.10. He also led Sri Lanka in the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh earlier this year.
Dushmantha Chameera and Lakshan Sandakan, meanwhile, have been left out from the side, while all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva and pacer Nuwan Pradeep have been recalled. Uncapped slow left-armer Malinda Pushpakumara has also been included on the side.
The three-match series will begin on July 26 before the teams move to Colombo (August 3) and Pallekele (August 12) for second and third Test respectively.
Sri Lanka squad for firs Test:
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.