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Lahiru Thirimanne dropped from Sri Lanka squad against India in 1st Test, Rangana Herath to lead

Apart from the Test regulars, two new names, Malinda Pushpakumara and Vishwa Fernando, have been added to the squad.

Rangana Herath will lead the side in Dinesh Chandimal's absence © AFP
Rangana Herath will lead the side in Dinesh Chandimal’s absence © AFP

Sri Lanka named their squad for the first Test against India on Sunday. Sri Lanka will miss the services of Dinesh Chandimal, who is now the captain in the longest format for Sri Lanka. As Chandimal is down with pneumonia, Rangana Herath will take the charge to lead the team. Apart from the Test regulars, two new names, Malinda Pushpakumara and Vishwa Fernando, have been added to the squad. Pushpakumara, a 30-year-old orthodox spinner, impressed all bagging 21 wickets in two First-Class matches against the visiting England Lions. Medium-pacer Fernando, on the other hand, was the most successful wicket-taker in the only practice match against India, picking up 2 wickets.

Here is the squad for the first Test: Rangana Herath (c), Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Malinda Pushpakumara, Nuwan Pradeep.

Surprisingly, Lahiru Thirimanne, who scored 59 in the practice match and led the Sri Lanka Board President’s XI (SLBP XI), failed to make the cut.

India will play 3 Tests, 5 ODIs and a T20I on the tour and are being pitted as the favourites for it.

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