Sri Lanka Announces Squad For Warm-Up Match Vs India

Sri Lanka A squad announced for India warm up game [Source: AFP]

The India vs Sri Lanka Test series commences on August 15 at Galle, but before the riveting battle commences, the visitors, India, will play a three-day warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka A. The practice game would provide India a chance to get used to the Sri Lankan spin-friendly conditions.

While all the senior members of the Indian team will play the practice game, starting on August 7, the Sri Lankan side will field their A team, and on Thursday, their Cricket board revealed the squad for the upcoming warm-up fixture, taking place in Colombo.

Sri Lanka reveals squad to face India in three-day warm-up fixture

In the latest development, SLC has announced the team to face India in the three-day practice game, and 15 players have been selected for the all-important clash.

Sonal Dinusha will lead the Sri Lanka A side against India, while experienced players like Ramesh Mendis and Lahiru Kumara are also drafted into the team.

Proven domestic performers like Nishan Madushka and Pasindu Sooriyabandara have also been added as the Lankan Lions are leaving no stones unturned to give India a tough fight in the practice game at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo.

Talented pacer Vishwa Fernando has also been picked by the selectors as he will look to trouble the Indian batters with his incoming deliveries.

Sri Lanka's 15-member sqaud for India practice game

Nishan Madushka, Ravindu Rashantha, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha(c), Anjala Bandara(wk), Nipun Dananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asanka Manoj, Isitha Wijesundara, Ramesh Mendis, Kesara Nuwantha, Dilum Sudeera

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Sri Lanka squad gives a hint of a spin-friendly track for the warm-up match

While the squad announced boasts some quality pacers, Sri Lanka has also gone in with three brilliant spinners, and it indicates that the pitch for the India vs Sri Lanka A warm-up game will be spin-friendly.

In Ramesh Mendis, Kesara Nuwantha, and Dilum Sudeera, the SLC have revealed three brilliantly crafted spin-bowlers, who could trouble the visiting batters in the next three days. Hence, the selection has indirectly revealed that a turning track is on the cards for the crucial warm-up match, and Indian batters has already started to prepare for the same.

Sri Lanka A players who can be picked in main squad to face India

Unlike India, Sri Lanka are yet to reveal their Test squad for the two-match series against India. Most likely, the selectors will announce the squad after the conclusion of the three-day practice match.

Several of the Sri Lanka A players, who will face India in the warm-up match, are lined up to get selected in the main team. The two Tests will provide spin-friendly wickets, and hence, Ramesh Mendis, one of Sri Lanka’s best spinners, is likely to get picked.

Also, if Lahiru Kumara, the pacer, delivers the goods against India, the selectors might consider picking him for the crucial India vs Sri Lanka Test series.

Apart from Ramesh Mendis, there is Prabath Jayasuriya as the second spinner, and with the wickets offering help for them, one of the spin-bowlers picked in the A squad can also be picked for the two-match Test series.

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