Sri Lanka announces squad for first Test against India - BDCricTime

Posted - Aug 12, 2026, 5:44 pm 2026-08-12T17:44:13+06:00

Updated - Aug 12, 2026, 5:44 pm 2026-08-12T17:44:13+06:00

Sri Lanka have announced their squad for the first Test against India , but the hosts will be without two of their key batters. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have both been ruled out of the opening Test due to injuries. The match will begin on August 15 in Galle.

Sri Lanka. (Credits: X.com) Dhananjaya de Silva will captain Sri Lanka, while Kamindu Mendis has been named vice-captain. Kusal Mendis' absence has opened the door for Niroshan Dickwella to return to the Test squad. The experienced wicketkeeper-batter has not played Test cricket for Sri Lanka since 2023.

Dickwella brings plenty of experience to the side and could have an important role to play in the middle order. Dinesh Chandimal is another senior batter in the squad, while Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha provide other batting options.

Sri Lanka have also picked a strong group of spinners. Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya are likely to be important in Galle, with Keshara Nuwantha also included in the squad. Nuwantha has made a strong impression in recent matches. He took three wickets in Sri Lanka Cricket XI's warm-up game against India and also claimed five wickets against India A in Galle last month.

The Sri Lankan pace attack features five bowlers. Vishwa Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka are the two left-arm options, while Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Milan Rathnayake complete the pace group.

India are also dealing with several injury concerns ahead of the first Test. Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Reddy and Harshit Rana have been ruled out. Washington Sundar is also set to miss the opening match and could struggle to recover in time for the second Test.

India will head into the series with some confidence after beating Sri Lanka Cricket XI by six wickets in their three-day warm-up match.

Sri Lanka squad for first Test: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kamindu Mendis (vc), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka.

India squad: Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav , Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj , Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan.