Sri Lanka Call Up Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige for Second Test Against India

Sri Lanka have reinforced their Test squad by drafting batter Kamil Mishara and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige ahead of the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, scheduled to begin on August 23. The call-ups come as the hosts manage a growing list of player absences in their top-order batting unit following a 165-run defeat in the opening match at Galle.

What Happened

India established an early lead in the series by defeating Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the first Test at Galle. Following the loss, Sri Lanka’s squad depth has been tested by injuries to established players, prompting the inclusion of Mishara and Arachchige to provide additional coverage.

Sri Lanka face the prospect of entering the Colombo fixture without three regular batters: Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, and Pathum Nissanka. Kusal Mendis sustained a hamstring injury during the Lanka Premier League, as confirmed by Kirsten, ruling him out of the series from the beginning. Niroshan Dickwella was drafted into the squad as cover for Mendis prior to the conclusion of the Galle Test.

Dinesh Chandimal was hurt on Day 4 of the first match and has been sidelined under concussion protocols, which enforce a mandatory seven-day stand-down period before any return to competitive action. Pasindu Sooriyabandara participated in the Galle match as a concussion substitute for Chandimal. Additionally, top-order batter Pathum Nissanka is unlikely to play in Colombo, though the specific cause of his unavailability has not been confirmed.

Key Highlights

• Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige have been officially added to Sri Lanka’s squad for the second Test in Colombo starting August 23.
• India hold a 1-0 series lead after securing a 165-run win in the first Test at Galle.
• Kusal Mendis remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury, while Dinesh Chandimal is out under mandatory seven-day concussion protocols.
• Pathum Nissanka is also unlikely to feature in the second match, causing significant disruption to the host side’s top order.
• Mishara earned his maiden Test call-up after hitting 145 runs off 72 balls in the Major Clubs T20 tournament on the day of selection.
• Arachchige joins the senior setup after captaining Sri Lanka A and top-scoring with 127 runs against India A.

Why This Matters

The addition of Mishara and Arachchige aims to stabilize a batting lineup depleted by the sudden loss of three core players. Although neither player has made an appearance in Test cricket, both enter the squad backed by strong recent performances in domestic and representative fixtures.

Mishara, who has previously represented Sri Lanka in limited-overs formats including One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), featured in the Lanka Premier League 2026. He underscored his readiness by scoring 145 off 72 deliveries in the Major Clubs T20 tournament on the very day he was added to the national squad.

Arachchige brings recent leadership and red-ball experience to the setup. He captained the Sri Lanka A side during their second unofficial Test against India A. Although India A won that fixture by 10 wickets, Arachchige was the standout performer for his team, compiling an innings of 127 that served as a catalyst for his promotion to the senior squad.

What to Watch Next

The second Test between Sri Lanka and India will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo starting on August 23. The Sri Lankan team management will select their final playing XI from the updated 15-player squad.

The updated Sri Lanka squad for the Colombo Test consists of: Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Kamindu Mendis (Vice-Captain), Niroshan Dickwella, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Nishan Madushka Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Sonal Dinusha, Keshara Nuwantha, Sahan Arachchige, and Kamil Mishara.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal unavailable for the second Test?

Kusal Mendis is sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained in the Lanka Premier League, while Dinesh Chandimal is resting under concussion protocols following an injury on Day 4 of the Galle Test, which requires a mandatory seven-day stand-down period.

Have Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige played Test cricket before?

No. Neither player has played a Test match for Sri Lanka. Kamil Mishara has played in ODIs and T20Is, while Sahan Arachchige recently captained Sri Lanka A before receiving his maiden Test squad call-up.

Source: Crictracker