Is Milan Rathnayake Out of the Second Test Against Bangladesh?

Colombo, June 23 (NationPress) Sri Lanka's fast bowler Milan Rathnayake has been sidelined from the upcoming second Test against Bangladesh, scheduled to take place in Colombo starting Wednesday. Rathnayake suffered a left-side strain during the first Test of the two-match series last week. He had briefly exited the field on the second morning in Galle but returned to secure three wickets by the close of the first innings, finishing the Test with a total of four wickets.

Throughout the match, Milan was notably economical, and his late surge on day two was pivotal in limiting Bangladesh’s first innings score to a manageable total for Sri Lanka. With the bat, he played a crucial role, contributing 39 runs off 83 balls as part of an essential 84-run seventh-wicket partnership with Kamindu Mendis.

In light of Rathnayake's absence, left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando has been appointed as his replacement. Additionally, spin-bowling allrounder Dunith Wellalage has been added to the Sri Lankan squad, taking the place of Angelo Mathews, who retired from Test cricket after the first match of the series.

If Sri Lanka chooses to replace Milan with another allrounder, they currently lack a seam-bowling allrounder in the squad. Both Wellalage and Sonal Dinusha, who are left-arm spinners, could be considered, but given that the SSC pitch typically offers less aid to spinners than Galle—which has been unusually batter-friendly—Sri Lanka might lean towards including an extra fast bowler instead. If one of the spinners is selected, it's likely that Tharindu Rathnayake might miss out. The pace battery includes Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, and uncapped Isitha Wijesundara.

When it comes to filling Mathews’ position in the XI, the probable candidates are Pasindu Sooriyabandara or Pavan Rathnayake, both of whom have demonstrated solid form in recent domestic competitions and for Sri Lanka A. Oshada Fernando is also in the mix, having rejoined the national team after a successful stint with Sri Lanka A late in 2024.

After this second Test against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka won't have another Test match until 2025.

Sri Lanka squad for second Test: Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara.