Three senior Sri Lanka batsmen ruled out or doubtful for second Test in Colombo
Sri Lanka will be without Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal, and Pathum Nissanka is also unlikely to be fit, for the second Test against India in Colombo starting on August 23 during India’s 2026 tour of Sri Lanka.
India lead the two-match series 1-0 after a 165-run victory in the first Test at Galle, leaving Sri Lanka needing a markedly improved showing in Colombo. The visitors aim to carry their momentum into the second match while the hosts face selection and fitness challenges ahead of the scheduled start.
Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the Colombo Test after sustaining a hamstring injury during the early stages of the Lanka Premier League; he has not played any form of cricket since. Mendis’s absence forced a change for the Galle match and leaves Sri Lanka short of an experienced middle-order option.
Niroshan Dickwella replaced Mendis for the first Test and made 80 in the opening innings, a performance the report says is likely to help him retain his place for the Colombo encounter. Dickwella’s score was the principal replacement contribution mentioned following Mendis’s withdrawal.
Dinesh Chandimal will miss the second Test after being forced off the field on the fourth day in Galle while trying to save a boundary and subsequently replaced by Pasindu Sooriyabandara as a concussion substitute. Under ICC rules, a player replaced because of concussion cannot play in another competitive match for seven days, and with the second Test starting four days after the first, Chandimal is not eligible to feature in Colombo.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara made his Test debut when he replaced Chandimal and was dismissed for a duck in his first innings; the report notes he could get another opportunity in the second Test. His debut and first-innings dismissal were recorded as part of the immediate reshuffle in Galle.
Pathum Nissanka is recovering from wrist surgery performed in June but remains uncertain for the second game, with the account stating he is reportedly closer to being match fit yet still experiencing discomfort while batting. Sri Lankan head coach Gary Kirsten also addressed the absences, saying: “Kusal Mendis has a proper hamstring injury and will not be available for a while. Dinesh is also not available for the next Test.” Kirsten added that the absence of senior players could create a good opportunity for young cricketers to showcase their skills and prove themselves against strong opponents like India.
The second Test between Sri Lanka and India is scheduled to begin on August 23 in Colombo.