Thirimanne, Dickwella, Mendis return for Indian Test series

Saturday, 26 February 2022 01:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka have named a 17-member squad for the two Test series against India starting next month in Mohali which includes Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella returning for the first time to the longer format following the lifting of their bans for breaching curfew and bio-bubble protocol during Sri Lanka’s tour of England last year.

Also returning to the Test side is opening bat Lahiru Thirimanne who opted out of Sri Lanka’s last Test series against West Indies in November on paternity leave to attend to the birth of his second child.

Mendis’ availability for the Test series remains in doubt as he is nursing a hamstring injury that has ruled him out of the ongoing T20I series against India along with spinner Maheesh Theekshana (hamstring).

Theekshana and spinner Wanindu Hasaranga who was tested COVID-19 positive and has been held up in Australia will return home missing the remaining T20I matches against India.

Off-spinner Ramesh Mendis also misses out the Test series with an injury, which has given leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, an opportunity to make his Test debut. Vandersay who has played white ball cricket is currently in India for the T20I series.

In the meantime, Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva who has been made vice-captain to Dimuth Karunaratne for the Test series, have been drafted into the Sri Lanka squad for the remaining T20I matches against India at Dharamsala on 26 and 27 February.

The Test series which is part of the ICC World Test Championships commences in Mohali on 4 March with the second Test which is a day/night game scheduled for 12 March at Bengalaru.

SRI LANKA TEST TEAM FOR INDIA

Dimuth Karunaratne (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva (Vice-Captain), 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.