COLOMBO: Paceman Nuwan Pradeep and spinning all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva were recalled on Sunday to Sri Lanka’s squad for the first Test against India, starting in Galle on Wednesday.

Pradeep has been sidelined for the last two weeks because of a hamstring niggle and replaces fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera from the 15-man squad that beat Zimbabwe last week.

Dhananjaya, a batting all-rounder, replaces new Test captain Dinesh Chandimal, who was diagnosed with pneumonia and will miss the opening Test of the three-match series.

Left-arm wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan was also dropped and replaced by uncapped tweaker Malinda Pushpakumara, who is 30-years-old.

Although he has yet to play international cricket in any format, Pushpakumara has been one of the outstanding performers on Sri Lanka’s domestic circuit, boasting a bowling average of 19.95 after 99 first-class games.

It has already been confirmed that veteran spinner Rangana Herath will lead the side in the first Test against India in the absence of Chandimal.

Squad: Rangana Herath (captain), 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.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2017