All-rounder Sahan Arachchige and batsman Kamil Mishara have been added to Sri Lanka’s team for the second Test match against India, which will start on August 23 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The two are the most recent additions as the hosts deal with an increasing number of injuries prior to the game.
After India won the Galle Test by 165 runs to take the series lead, Sri Lanka may not have Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, or Pathum Nissanka for the Colombo match. Mendis had already been replaced by Niroshan Dickwella, and Chandimal was replaced by Pasindu Sooriyabandara in the Galle Test due to a concussion. Mishara and Arachchige’s call-ups give a squad that is already thin due to unavailability more depth.
For Colombo, why are Mendis, Chandimal, and Nissanka unavailable?
Kusal Mendis has been out of the series since the beginning due to a hamstring ailment that Kirsten acknowledged was a legitimate hamstring injury incurred in the Lanka Premier League. Even before the Galle Test ended, Niroshan Dickwella was announced as his replacement.
According to concussion rules, which require a minimum seven-day stand-down period before a player can return to action, Dinesh Chandimal is out after suffering an injury on Day 4 of the Galle Test. Pathum Nissanka is likewise unlikely to play in Colombo, despite the evidence provided does not specify why he is unavailable. As a result, Sri Lanka’s top-order batting has been severely disturbed.
What benefits do Arachchige and Mishara offer the Sri Lankan team?
Although he has played for Sri Lanka in ODIs and T20Is, Kamil Mishara has never been chosen for a Test match. On the day of his Test team call-up, he smashed 145 off 72 balls in the Major Clubs T20 event, demonstrating the form that led to his selection. He also made an impression during his maiden season in the Lanka Premier League 2026.
Sahan Arachchige has recent high-level experience but does not have a Test cap. In the second unofficial Test between Sri Lanka A and India A, he was the team’s leading run scorer with an innings of 127. Although India A won that game by ten wickets, Arachchige’s performance was noteworthy and seems to have played a significant role in his elevation to the senior team.
Sri Lanka’s revised team for their second Test match against India in Colombo
Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Kamindu Mendis (VC), Niroshan Dickwella, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Nishan Madushka Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Sonal Dinusha, Keshara Nuwantha, Sahan Arachchige, and Kamil Mishara
