Must-win Test, injury-hit squad: Mendis, Chandimal out as Sri Lanka revamp for Colombo clash

Sri Lanka have added off-spin all-rounder Sahan Arachchige and batter Kamil Mishara to their squad for the second and final Test against India, starting in Colombo on August 23.

Sri Lanka need a win to draw the two-match series after India won the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs.

The hosts will be without Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal for the Colombo Test.

Arachchige, who has played five ODIs and one T20I, has been brought in for Kusal Mendis. He impressed while captaining Sri Lanka A against India A last month, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer in the series with 209 runs.

Top-order batter Kamil Mishara has replaced Nishan Fernando, who did not make an impact in the Galle Test.

After the first Test, Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten confirmed that Kusal Mendis has a “proper hamstring injury” and will be unavailable for some time.

Chandimal, meanwhile, was ruled out after sustaining an injury on the fourth day of the Galle Test. He has to serve a minimum seven-day stand-down period under concussion protocols.

Pasindu Sooriyabandara replaced Chandimal as a concussion substitute and will remain with the squad for the second Test.

Sri Lanka will now look to make changes to their playing XI as they attempt to level the series in Colombo.

Sri Lanka squad for the 2nd Test

Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis (Vice Captain), Dhananjaya De Silva (Captain), Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Ratnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando.