Sri Lanka Squad vs India For 1st Test Announced; Dhananjaya de Silva To Lead

Sri Lanka Squad vs India announced [Source: AFP]

In a significant development, SLC announced the Sri Lanka squad vs India for the first Test of the upcoming two-match series. Dhananjaya de Silva will lead the 16-member side, which is an amalgamation of experience and youth. 

Nishan Madushka, who showcased red-hot form in the three-day warm-up match against the Indians, has been rewarded with a spot in the Sri Lanka squad vs India for the 1st Test. Prabath Jayasuriya will spearhead the Lankan bowling attack, which also comprises the likes of Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Milan Rathnayake and Vishwa Fernando. 

How different is Sri Lanka squad vs India from the West Indies series?

Under Dhananjaya de Silva's leadership, Sri Lanka failed to live up to the expectations in their previous Test series against West Indies, suffering a 1-0 defeat. 

There are two forced changes to the Sri Lanka squad vs India for the 1st Test, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, two of their most experienced players, ruled out due to injury. 

Nissanka is recovering from wrist surgery, which he recently underwent in London. Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis sustained a hamstring injury during the LPL 2026 and, as a result, has been sidelined from the crucial WTC assignment against India. 

Niroshan Dickwella has made it into the Sri Lanka squad vs India for the 1st Test as the replacement for Kusal Mendis. Besides scoring crucial runs lower down the order, Dickwella will keep wickets for the Lankan side. 

Meanwhile, the SLC has excluded Kasun Rajitha and Isitha Wijesundara from the Sri Lanka squad vs India for the 1st Test after the fast-bowling duo went wicketless in the two-match series in the West Indies. 

Off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha and left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka have been included in the squad that will take on India in the series opener at Galle International Stadium. Nuwantha has not played a single Test, while Madushanka has featured in a single Test for the Island Nation. 

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Major takeaways from Sri Lanka squad vs India for 1st Test

Lahiru Udara, Sri Lanka's most successful batter in the West Indies, will spearhead their batting lineup alongside skipper Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha and Dinesh Chandimal, who all averaged over 40 on the recent tour of the Caribbean. 

Vice-captain Kamindu Mendis, who had a topsy-turvy run in the West Indies, will be keen to make an impact as an all-rounder in the India Tests. The Sri Lanka squad vs India comprises six spinners, including three frontline bowlers- Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha. 

Sonal Dinusha, Captain De Silva and his deputy, Kamindu Mendis, can also chip in with crucial overs. However, a more significant takeaway from the squad selection is the presence of five genuine fast bowlers- Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka. 

Given that the conditions in Sri Lanka heavily assist spin bowling, the strategy to pick five pacers adds a layer of intrigue to the squad selection. It indicates the Lankans could prepare a track where the seamers can get some seam movement before the spinners challenge the Indian batters with the older ball. 

Sri Lanka Squad vs India for 1st Test

Sri Lanka's squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis (VC), Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

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