Kusal Mendis likely to miss first Sri Lanka v India Test in Galle after LPL injury

Kusal Mendis is likely to miss the first Test between Sri Lanka and India in Galle, scheduled to begin on August 15, after sustaining an injury during the ongoing LPL 2026 and being reported as unfit and in recovery.

India will play a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, their first Test tour of the country since 2017, with the second Test due to start at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on August 23; the visitors will also play a three-day warm-up fixture against a Sri Lanka XI in Colombo from August 7 to 9. India have not lost a Test series to Sri Lanka since 2008, and the touring side’s squad has been announced with Shubman Gill named captain and KL Rahul as his deputy.

Reports say Mendis sustained the injury during the ongoing LPL 2026; Danushka Aravinda posted on X and confirmed that Mendis is recovering from that injury. There has been no official confirmation from the Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC), and Mendis has not featured in an LPL game since July 19.

Mendis enters the series as Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in 2026 across formats, with 698 runs in 21 games. The reports add that if he is ruled out of the first Test, it will be a big blow for the visitors.

Sri Lanka are fighting for a place in the final of the ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle and sit sixth on the table with 41.67 PCT; India are fifth with 48.15 PCT. Both teams therefore approach the two-Test series with WTC points at stake.

The first Test between Sri Lanka and India will start on August 15 in Galle.