Internet Desk: The Sri Lankan cricket board has announced their squad for the first Test against the World No.1 Indian cricket team. They will play three Test against Kohli & Co. In the absence of their newly appointed skipper Dinesh Chandimal, who has been suffering with Pneumonia, veteran spinner Rangana Herath will lead the side.
Dhanajaya De Silva has replaced Dinesh Chandimal in the side. The hosts have also included pacer Nuwan Pradeep in the squad but surprisingly they have also included an uncapped left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara.
The 30-year old left arm spinner has not featured in the national colour but he has a lot of experience in first-class cricket. Pushpakumara has picked a whooping 558 first-class wickets with an astonishing average of 19.85. He belongs to the top three wicket-takers in the Sri Lankan Premier League tournament.
De Silva was an automatic choice for the selectors after Chandimal was ruled out. Pradeep gets his chance in place of Dushmantha Chameera.
Sri Lanka: Rangana Herath (C), Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Malinda Pushpakumara, Nuwan Pradeep.