SL Squad IND Test Series: Hasaranga, Theekshana ruled out – Sri Lanka will miss the services of Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana in the two-match Test series against India. Dimuth Karunaratne will lead the 17-member squad for the series, starting March 4 in Mohali while legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay received a maiden call-up. Follow IND vs SL Test Series Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
On Friday, Dimuth Karunaratne and others left for India for the two-match series. They will enter a three-day quarantine in Mohali ahead of the first Test. They will be joined by the players from T20 series.
SL Squad IND Test Series: Hasaranga, Theekshana ruled out, Dimuth Karunaratne to lead 18-member squad against India
Members of the Sri Lanka Test Squad left the country early this morning to take part in the 02 match Test series vs India. 🛫#INDvSL pic.twitter.com/2ngFW6NLDM
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) February 25, 2022
SL Squad IND Test Series: Hasaranga, Theekshana ruled out, Dimuth Karunaratne to lead 18-member squad against India
However, senior batter Kusal Mendis and spinner Maheesh Theekshana have been ruled out of the last two T20 Internationals with the latter going back home owing to a hamstring injury. Kusal is, however, going to stay back as he is part of the Test squad and will be added subject to fitness.
Niroshan Dickwella, who recently came out of suspension for bio-bubble breach in England last year, has been drafted into the T20 squad along with Dananjaya de Silva, both of whom, are also a part of the Test squad.
SL Squad IND Test Series: Hasaranga, Theekshana ruled out, Dimuth Karunaratne to lead 18-member squad against India
The 18-member squad approved by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa, who incidentally is son of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, also has all-rounder Ramesh Mendis.
Curiously, the SLC stated that Mendis would not be playing due to an injury, but did not say why his name was a part of the squad despite his unavailability. It also said that spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who was in quarantine in Australia after testing positive for COVID-19, “will return home”.
SL Squad IND Test Series: Hasaranga, Theekshana ruled out, Dimuth Karunaratne to lead 18-member squad against India
Sri Lanka Test Squad
- Dimuth Karunaratne – Captain
- Pathum Nissanka
- Lahiru Thirimanne
- Dhananjaya de Silva – Vice-Captain
- Kusal Mendis – subject to fitness
- Angelo Mathews
- Dinesh Chandimal
- Charith Asalanka
- Niroshan Dickwella
- Chamika Karunaratne
- Lahiru Kumara
- Suranga Lakmal
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Vishwa Fernando
- Jeffrey Vandersay
- Praveen Jayawickrema
- Lasith Embuldeniya
SL Squad IND Test Series: Hasaranga, Theekshana ruled out, Dimuth Karunaratne to lead 18-member squad against India
“Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya De Silva have been drafted into the T20I squad in place of injured Kusal Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana. Both Mendis and Theekshana suffered hamstring injuries during the 5th T20I vs Australia. Maheesh Theekshana will return home, whilst Wanindu Hasaranga also will return home from Australia,” Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.
SL Squad IND Test Series: Hasaranga, Theekshana ruled out, Dimuth Karunaratne to lead 18-member squad against India
Earlier, India announced a strong 18-member squad for the two-match Test series which will be part of the World Test Championship. Under new captain Rohit Sharma, India will be aiming for the No 1 spot.
India’s Test squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Priyank Panchal, Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubhman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, R. Ashwin (subject to fitness clearance), Kuldeep Yadav, Saurabh Kumar, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Mohd. Shami, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain).
SL Squad IND Test Series: Hasaranga, Theekshana ruled out, Dimuth Karunaratne to lead 18-member squad against India