Overview
- Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten confirmed on Wednesday that Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal will not play in the Colombo Test and that Pathum Nissanka remains doubtful while rehabbing a wrist.
- Mendis is sidelined with a severe hamstring tear suffered in the Lanka Premier League and has already been replaced in the squad by Niroshan Dickwella.
- Chandimal is unavailable under ICC concussion protocols that require a clear seven-day recovery, and Pasindu Sooriyabandara made a concussion-sub debut in Galle only to be dismissed first ball.
- India lead the two-match series 1-0 after a 165-run win in Galle, so Sri Lanka must win in Colombo to level the World Test Championship tie.
- Sri Lanka Cricket has not named the final Colombo squad, creating openings for domestic performers such as Dickwella and forcing selectors to choose between experience and recent first-class form.