Sri Lanka has announced a 14-member squad for the second and final Test against India, with the series decider set to begin on Sunday, August 23, at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The hosts have made several changes to their squad following the opening Test defeat in Galle, including replacements for two experienced players.
Uncapped red-ball players Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige have been added to the squad in place of Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis. Chandimal suffered a neck and shoulder injury while fielding during the first Test and was unable to continue. His injury has ruled him out of the remainder of the series.
Kusal Mendis, meanwhile, continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered during the Lanka Premier League. He did not recover in time to be considered for the Colombo Test. Mishara brings considerable first-class experience despite being uncapped at Test level. The batter has played 49 first-class matches, scoring 3,521 runs at an average of 46.94, including nine centuries and 15 half-centuries.
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Arachchige has an even larger first-class record, having featured in 85 matches. He has accumulated 4,365 runs and also taken 63 wickets, giving Sri Lanka another versatile option for the series decider.
The hosts have also made further changes, leaving out Ramesh Mendis, Nishan Madushka and Dilshan Madushanka from the squad. Madushka featured in the playing XI during the Galle Test but struggled to make an impact, scoring just 0 and 6 across his two innings.
The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has named the following 14-member squad for
the second Test match against India.The second Test will be played at the SSC, Colombo, from 23rd to 27th August.
The Test Squad
1) Lahiru Udara
2) Kamil Mishara
3) Pasindu Sooriyabandara
4)…— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) August 21, 2026
Sri Lanka’s 14-member squad for the second Test is: Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando.
The Colombo Test is effectively a must-win contest for Dhananjaya de Silva’s side. Sri Lanka lost the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs, allowing India to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
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Despite the final margin, Sri Lanka showed periods of resistance and created opportunities during the first Test. However, they could not sustain their performance for long enough to challenge India consistently. With the series on the line, Sri Lanka cannot afford another defeat. A draw would also leave them without a chance to level the series, meaning Dhananjaya and his players must produce a complete performance in Colombo to avoid a series defeat and force a 1-1 result.
