Kamil Mishara, Arachchige in; Madushanka, Ramesh Mendis dropped for Colombo Test

Sri Lanka have drafted batter Kamil Mishara and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige into the squad for the second Test against India in Colombo. The hosts will be without Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal for the SSC Test.

Sri Lanka squad for 2nd Test v India: Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Ratnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando

After the Galle Test, which India won by 165 runs, Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten confirmed that Mendis has a "proper hamstring injury" sustained during the Lanka Premier League and won't be available for a while.

Chandimal was ruled out of the Galle Test following an injury while fielding on Day 4, with concussion protocols necessitating a minimum seven-day stand-down time. He was replaced by Pasindu Sooriyabandara as a concussion substitute.

Arachchige, uncapped in Tests, impressed in the unofficial Tests between the two 'A' sides, scoring 127 in the second game, topping the run-charts for Lanka A. While India A won the game by 10 wickets, his defiant knock at five, while leading the side, was one of the highlights for the hosts.

Mishara looked in fine nick during the Lanka Premier League 2026, his first season, and continued that form by smashing a 72-ball 145 in the Major Clubs T20 tournament the very same day he was called up to the Test squad. He is likely to open with incumbent opener Nishan Madushka not picked.

The 14-man squad also has no place for Dilshanka Madushanka and Ramesh Mendis, who were part of a 16-member squad for the Test in Galle.

The second Test between the two sides begins on August 23.