Sri Lanka Playing XI 1st Test: After their drubbing in the T20 series, Sri Lanka will hope to bounce back in style as they prepare for the two-match Test series against India. The travelling party has seen a host of new additions including captain Dimuth Karunaratne and veteran Angelo Matthews, as the Lankans prepare for their 1st Test in India since 2017, where they lost the three-match series 1-0. With crucial world test championship points on the line, Sri Lanka will hope to put in a fine performance and Karunratne will hope to pick the right combination for his battle against counterpart Rohit Sharma. Follow Insidesport.in for all IND vs SL LIVE Updates.
Sri Lanka Playing XI 1st Test: Mendis ruled out, Dickwella returns; Chameera rested as Karunaratne gives early team news – Follow LIVE Updates
Kusal Mendis’ hamstring injury continues to keep him out but wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella is back after serving a one-year ban for a bio-bubble breach, Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne said on Thursday unveiling his line-up for the opening Test against India in Mohali.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Jeffrey Vandersay will not be fit to feature in the first of the two-match Test series against India, which commences on Friday. Vandersay was a part of Sri Lanka’s T20I squad, and in the last game at Dharamshala, he sustained an injury as he twisted his ankle. Though he joined the Lankans’ practice sessions on Wednesday, reports suggest that the leggie is still not one hundred per cent in terms of his match fitness and will not be able to make the cut for the Mohali Test.
Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne will know that there will be an over-reliance on him and the other veterans to put their best foot forward as Sri Lanka prepare for their first Test in India after five years. Both Angelo Matthews and Dinesh Chandimal have favourable records in their previous tour to the country and should make it to the XI, despite their hor and cold run in recent times.
In fact, Chandimal was the leading run-scorer for Sir Lanka in 2017 and averages a stunning 61 in India. With Dickwella confirmed as the wicket-keeper, Chandimal’s position in the side is doubtful, with Lahiru Thirimanne also competing for a spot in the XI, who scored a century in his last Test against Bangladesh in April 2021.
Pathum Nissanka’s form in the domestic circuit and his rise to the international level has been well documented, and the opener is likely to pair Dimuth Karunaratne at the top of the order. Mathews and vice-captain Dhananjaya de Silva take up No.4 and No.5 slots, with promising all-rounder Charith Asalanka to follow in at No.6.
Sri Lanka Playing XI 1st Test: Mendis ruled out, Dickwella returns; Chameera rested as Karunaratne gives early team news – Follow LIVE Updates
Karunaratne will have a tough decision on his hands as he decides on a bowling combination for the game. Suranga Lakmal, who will hang his boots after the series, is set to lead the attack alongside while one among Lahiru Kumara, Chamika Karunaratne and Vishwa Fernando will feature, with Dushmantha Chameera rested.
In the spin department, Sri Lanka have two left-arm spinners in Praveen Jayawickrama and Lasith Embuldeniya and it is unlikely that Karunaratne employs both in the IND vs SL 1st Test at Mohali. Vandersay presented himself as an option but doubts over his fitness mean that Karunaratne will opt to go with his two slow left-arm bowlers in Mohali.
Sri Lanka Playing XI 1st Test (probable)
- Dimuth Karunaratne
- Pathum Nissanka
- Niroshan Dickwella
- Angelo Mathews
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- Charith Asalanka
- Dinesh Chandimal
- Lahiru Kumara
- Praveen Jayawickrama
- Suranga Lakmal
- Lasith Embuldeniya
Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva (vc), 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.
Sri Lanka Playing XI 1st Test: SL eye mix of youth and experience with onus on Karunaratne and Mathews as visitors brace for spin Test – Follow LIVE Updates
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