Summary Sri Lanka on Tuesday named a 16-man squad led by Dinesh Chandimal for the second Test against India.
COLOMBO (AFP) - Sri Lanka on Tuesday named a 16-man squad led by Dinesh Chandimal for the second Test in Colombo against India starting Thursday.
Chandimal has recovered from a bout of pneumonia which forced him to sit out the first Test in Galle. Sri Lanka lost to India by 304 runs.
He was given the top slot last month after Angelo Mathews stepped down following a 3-2 defeat to Zimbabwe in a five-match one-day international series played at home.
Sri Lanka are also battling injuries ahead of the second Test, where they are bidding to stay alive in the three-Test series.
All-rounder Asela Gunaratne fractured a thumb during the first Test in Galle, and veteran bowler and stand-in captain Rangana Herath also injured a middle finger.
Sri Lanka’s cricket manager Asanka Gurusinha said Chandimal should be fit for Colombo after his bout of pneumonia. Left-arm spinner Herath, who was unable to bat in the second innings, is still not certain.
"We will give him (Herath) till the last minute to make sure that he is fit. The day before the Test we will see whether he can drift the ball, it will come down to that," said Gurusinha.
Batsman Danushka Gunathilaka, who made his Test debut in Galle, is likely to give up his place to Chandimal, while Kusal Mendis is expected to return to his number three batting position.
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, Dananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Malinda Pushpakumara, Lakshan Sandakan and Lahiru Thirimanne.
