Sri Lanka have pressed the reset button ahead of the second Test against India at the SSC, handing opportunities to uncapped NCC pair Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige as they seek a response after the 165-run defeat in Galle.
The biggest change is expected at the top of the order where Mishara is poised to partner fellow NCC batsman Lahiru Udara. The move comes after Nishan Madushka endured a lean run, managing scores of 23, 2, 6, 20, 0 and 6 in his last six Test innings. With Pathum Nissanka still recovering from wrist surgery, selectors had hoped Madushka would cement the opening slot, but consistency proved elusive.
Mishara arrives with confidence overflowing. The free-scoring left-hander celebrated his call-up with a breathtaking 145 not out off just 72 balls for NCC against Bloomfield. Earlier this season, he was one of the standout performers for Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League, amassing 411 runs at an average of 51.37 and a strike rate of 165.
The challenge now is a different one. Test cricket demands patience as much as flair. India’s Devdutt Padikkal showed the blueprint in Galle, converting his white-ball pedigree into a match-winning Test performance.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara is expected to replace the injured Dinesh Chandimal at No. 3, while Arachchige provides additional batting cover. The remainder of the squad remains largely unchanged as Sri Lanka look to level the series in Colombo.
Probable Squad: Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Sonal Dinusha, Sahan Arachchige, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha.
