Sri Lanka Includes Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige in Squad for Second Test Against India

Sri Lanka has announced the inclusion of Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige in their squad for the second Test match against India, following a series of impressive recent performances. Mishara has been in outstanding white-ball form, scoring 411 runs in ten matches during the recent Lanka Premier League (LPL). His last domestic outing in the Major League T20 saw him achieve a remarkable 145 runs off just 72 balls for Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC). In addition, he has showcased his red-ball prowess with a score of 174 in a recent match against New Zealand A.

Given the effectiveness of India’s left-arm spinners, Mishara’s left-handed batting style likely influenced his selection. He is expected to take up an opening position alongside Lahiru Udara.

Arachchige, an allrounder who bowls right-arm offbreaks, is also joining the squad after scoring 240 runs across ten innings in the LPL, including an unbeaten 61 runs in a recent Major League T20 game. He has a first-class record that includes 4,365 runs at an average of 37.95, alongside 63 wickets from 85 matches. Arachchige last played in a red-ball format against India A in July, where he captained Sri Lanka A and scored 127 runs in the first innings.

The changes in the squad come as Arachchige competes for a position as a replacement for Dinesh Chandimal, while Pasindu Sooriyabandara is also in the running after a less than favorable debut in which he recorded a first-ball duck but boasts a healthy first-class average of 53.76 since his debut in 2018.

Aside from the new inclusions, the overall composition of the team for the upcoming Test appears to be straightforward, with the batting lineup largely unchanged. Keshara Nuwantha is anticipated to continue his spin partnership with Prabath Jayasuriya following his promising debut.

Lahiru Kumara, who has had injury concerns in the past, bowled only 18 overs in the first Test and completed the match unscathed. With fast-bowling allrounder Milan Rathnayaka available, Sri Lanka might strengthen their batting lineup potentially at the expense of Kumara’s express pace.

Notably, Sri Lanka will be without two other key players: Kusal Mendis, who has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained during the LPL, and Pathum Nissanka, who is recovering from wrist surgery performed in June.

The final squad for Sri Lanka in the second Test against India includes: Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis (vice-capt), Dhananjaya De Silva (capt), Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, and Vishwa Fernando.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn