Sri Lanka call up Arachchige, Mishara for 2nd Test vs India in Colombo
Synopsis
Sri Lanka have made two fresh inclusions for the must-not-lose second Test against India in Colombo — uncapped A-team standout Sahan Arachchige and LPL run-machine Kamil Mishara. With Chandimal injured and the hosts already a Test down, the selectors are gambling on in-form new blood to stop India from completing a series sweep.
Key Takeaways
Sri Lanka Cricket named a 14-member squad on 20 August for the 2nd Test against India in Colombo , starting 23 August .
Uncapped all-rounder Sahan Arachchige earns his first Test call-up after scoring 209 runs for Sri Lanka A, including a knock of 127 .
Batter Kamil Mishara is included on the back of 411 runs in nine innings in the Lanka Premier League 2026 and a recent 145 off 72 balls in domestic T20 cricket.
Dinesh Chandimal is ruled out due to injury; concussion replacement Pasindu Sooriyabandara is also dropped after a golden duck on debut.
India lead the series 1-0 after winning the Galle Test by 165 runs , with Devdutt Padikkal scoring 167 and Manav Suthar taking 10 wickets .
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Friday, 20 August announced a 14-member squad for the second and final Test against India, drafting in uncapped all-rounder Sahan Arachchige and batter Kamil Mishara as the hosts look to level the series in Colombo starting Sunday, 23 August.
Key Changes to the Squad
The most notable omission is opener Dinesh Chandimal, who sustained an injury during the first Test in Galle and has been ruled out. His concussion replacement, Pasindu Sooriyabandara — who made his debut in that match — has also been dropped after managing a golden duck in his only innings. Fellow opener Nishan Madushka found no place either, nor did bowling all-rounder Ramesh Mendis or fast bowler Dilshan Madushka.
Why Arachchige Earned His Call-Up
Sahan Arachchige, who remains uncapped at Test level, impressed selectors with a commanding run in the unofficial Tests for Sri Lanka A against India A. He scored 72 in the first game and 127 in the second, accumulating 209 runs across the two matches — the highest for his side and second only to India's Sai Sudharsan in the series. His all-round credentials as captain of the A side added weight to his selection.
Mishara's Form Impossible to Ignore
Kamil Mishara arrives on the back of a prolific run in domestic cricket. He amassed 411 runs in nine innings during the Lanka Premier League 2026, including a century against Galle Gallants. His form carried into the Major Clubs T20 competition, where he struck an unbeaten 145 off 72 balls just a day before the squad announcement — a knock that reportedly sealed his inclusion.
India's First-Test Dominance Sets the Context
India claimed the first Test in Galle by 165 runs, powered by Devdutt Padikkal's 167 in the first innings and a match haul of 10 wickets by left-arm spin all-rounder Manav Suthar, who returned figures of 6 wickets in the second innings alone. The Shubman Gill-led side will arrive in Colombo with the series lead and considerable momentum.
Full Squad and What's Next
Sri Lanka will be captained by Dhananjaya De Silva, with Kamindu Mendis as vice-captain. The full 14-member squad is: Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Ratnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando. The second and final Test gets underway at Colombo on 23 August, with Sri Lanka needing a win to avoid a series defeat at home.
Point of View
But the jump from unofficial Tests to a series-decider against a side that just won by 165 runs is steep. If the gamble fails, questions will follow about the depth of Sri Lanka's red-ball pipeline — a structural issue that one squad reshuffle cannot fix.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the new inclusions in Sri Lanka's squad for the 2nd Test against India?
Sri Lanka have drafted in all-rounder Sahan Arachchige and batter Kamil Mishara for the second Test against India in Colombo, starting 23 August. Arachchige is uncapped at Test level, while Mishara has been included on the back of strong domestic form.
Why is Dinesh Chandimal not in Sri Lanka's squad?
Dinesh Chandimal suffered an injury during the first Test in Galle and has been ruled out of the second Test. His concussion replacement, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, was also dropped after scoring a golden duck in his only innings on debut.
What was Sahan Arachchige's form that earned him a Test call-up?
Arachchige captained Sri Lanka A in the unofficial Test series against India A, scoring 72 in the first match and 127 in the second for a total of 209 runs — the highest for his team in the series. He remains uncapped at full Test level.
What is Kamil Mishara's recent form ahead of the Colombo Test?
Mishara scored 411 runs in nine innings during the Lanka Premier League 2026, including a century against Galle Gallants. He also struck 145 off 72 balls in the Major Clubs T20 competition the day before the squad was announced.
What was the result of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka?
India won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs. Devdutt Padikkal scored 167 in the first innings, and Manav Suthar claimed a match haul of 10 wickets, including 6 in the second innings.
