The national selectors have brought back left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara and middle order batsman Dhananjaya De Silva to the Sri Lanka Test squad for the upcoming three-match series against India which starts on 26th July in Galle.
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As the newly-appointed Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal is down with Pneumonia, veteran spinner Rangana Herath has been named as the Captain of the side for the first Test which comprises 8 batsmen, 3 spinners and 4 seamers.
Nuwan Pradeep who injured his hamstring during the Zimbabwe ODIs has been added to the squad following a successful rehabilitation in the past few weeks. Pradeep last played a Test against South Africa in January. Apart of Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal, the other two seamers in Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando have combinedly played only 7 Tests.
Read: Dinesh Chandimal to miss Galle Test
De Silva who was Sri Lanka’s highest run-scorer in last year’s Australian series was left out of the squad for the only Test against Zimbabwe due a lean patch but has been recalled due to Chandimal’s absence.
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Pushpakumara who has been the best spinner in domestic circuits in recent past has 558 first-class wickets at an average of 19.85. He was a part of the two-match Test squad against Bangladesh earlier this year but did not get a game. He replaces left-arm chinaman Lakshan Sandakan from the Zimbabwe squad.
Sri Lanka Test squad – Rangana Herath (Captain), Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunarathne, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunarathne, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Malinda Pushpakumara, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando.
