India are all set to take on Sri Lanka in the first Test of the two-match series at the Galle International Stadium from August 15 (Saturday).
This is a crucial match for India, as they are coming back into the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle for the first time since the humiliating home series whitewash against South Africa in December 2025. A win in the series will be crucial for India if they want to increase their chances of qualifying in the final of the WTC. Now, after India have already named their squad for the series, Sri Lanka too have announced their squad for the first Test.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced their 16-member squad on Wednesday, August 12 for the opening Test of their two-match series against India. The biggest news was that they recalled veteran wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella and named three uncapped players. All-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva will lead the side, with Kamindu Mendis appointed as his deputy
Sri Lanka will be without the services of senior batters Kusal Mendis, who is sidelined with a right hamstring injury, and Pathum Nissanka, who is recovering from recent wrist surgery. To fill the void behind the stumps, the selectors have recalled the 33-year-old Niroshan Dickwella, who last played a Test match for the national side in 2023. His inclusion provides valuable experience to a batting order preparing to face a formidable Indian attack on a traditionally spin-friendly Galle surface.
Sri Lanka have handed maiden Test call-ups to off-spinning all-rounder Keshara Nuwantha, alongside promising batters Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha. The 25-year-old Nuwantha earned his spot after picking up three wickets during the recent three-day practice game against the Indian side, which followed up the five-wicket haul he secured against India A in Galle last month.
Sri Lanka Squad For 1st Test Vs India
Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kamindu Mendis (vc), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka.