Mendis, Nissanka ruled out of Galle Test; Nuwantha earns first call-up
Synopsis
Sri Lanka head into the Galle Test against India without two of their most important batters. Kusal Mendis is out with a hamstring injury, Pathum Nissanka is recovering from wrist surgery, and the selectors have turned to a recalled Niroshan Dickwella and uncapped Keshara Nuwantha to fill the void — a significant reshuffle just days before a high-stakes series opener.
Key Takeaways
Kusal Mendis is ruled out with a right hamstring injury sustained on 19 July during an LPL match.
Pathum Nissanka is recovering from wrist surgery in London and also misses the first Test.
Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has been recalled after his last Test appearance in 2023 ; he has 54 Test caps .
Off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha earns his maiden Test call-up after taking 3 wickets in the warm-up game.
Nishan Madushka retains his place after scoring 66 and 63* in the warm-up against India.
The first Test begins on 15 August in Galle ; the second runs from 23–27 August in Colombo .
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday, 12 August announced a 16-member squad for the first Test against India, beginning 15 August in Galle, with key batters Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka both ruled out through injury. All-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva will lead the side in their absence.
Why Mendis and Nissanka Are Missing
Kusal Mendis sustained a right hamstring injury on 19 July while batting for Colombo Kaps against Kandy Royals in a Lanka Premier League (LPL) match at the SSC Ground in Colombo. He has since been undergoing rehabilitation at the National High Performance Centre.
Pathum Nissanka, meanwhile, is recovering from wrist surgery performed in London last month and has not been cleared to play. The twin absences strip Sri Lanka of two of their most reliable top-order options ahead of a high-stakes home series.
Dickwella Recalled, Nuwantha Gets Maiden Cap
With both frontline batters unavailable, selectors have recalled veteran wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella, who last featured in a Test match in 2023. Dickwella's experience of 54 Tests earned him the nod ahead of Anjala Bandara, who had played in the warm-up clash against India at the NCC Ground in Colombo.
Off-spin bowling all-rounder Keshara Nuwantha has earned his maiden Test call-up after picking up three wickets in that same warm-up game. Kasun Rajitha and Isitha Wijesundara have been dropped from the previous setup.
Madushka Retains Spot After Warm-Up Form
Top-order batter Nishan Madushka held his place in the squad following a strong showing in the three-day warm-up, where he scored 66 and an unbeaten 63 against India. His form offers Sri Lanka a measure of solidity at the top despite the high-profile absentees.
Squad Breakdown: Batting, Spin, and Pace
The core batting unit comprises de Silva, vice-captain Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Udara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, and Sonal Dinusha. The spin department is led by Prabath Jayasuriya, supported by Ramesh Mendis and debutant Nuwantha, with de Silva and Kamindu Mendis available as part-time options.
The pace attack is headed by Asitha Fernando alongside Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake, and Dilshan Madushanka. The second Test between the two sides is scheduled at the SSC Ground in Colombo from 23 to 27 August.
Full squad: 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, Dilshan Madushanka.
Point of View
But debuting a spinner in a high-pressure series opener against an Indian side well-versed in subcontinental conditions is a gamble. How de Silva manages a depleted batting unit in the first innings at Galle will tell us a great deal about Sri Lanka's realistic prospects for the series.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka missing the first Test against India?
Kusal Mendis sustained a right hamstring injury on 19 July during an LPL match and is undergoing rehabilitation. Pathum Nissanka is recovering from wrist surgery performed in London last month. Both have been ruled out of the Galle Test starting 15 August.
Who has been recalled to replace Kusal Mendis and Nissanka?
Veteran wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella has been recalled to the squad. He last played a Test in 2023 and brings 54 Test caps of experience, earning the nod ahead of Anjala Bandara.
Who is Keshara Nuwantha and why has he been selected?
Keshara Nuwantha is an off-spin bowling all-rounder who claimed three wickets in the warm-up game against India at the NCC Ground in Colombo. His performance earned him a maiden Test call-up in the 16-member squad.
When and where is the first India vs Sri Lanka Test being played?
The first Test begins on 15 August in Galle, Sri Lanka. The second Test is scheduled at the SSC Ground in Colombo from 23 to 27 August.
Who is captaining Sri Lanka for the first Test against India?
All-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva has been named captain of the 16-member squad, with Kamindu Mendis serving as vice-captain.
