Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal ruled out of Colombo Test against India
Sri Lanka face a significant availability crisis ahead of the second Test, with Pathum Nissanka also in doubt due to a wrist surgery recovery.
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Sri Lanka have been dealt a major blow ahead of the second Test against India at SSC Ground in Colombo, scheduled from August 23 to 27, 2026. Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal have both been ruled out of the match, while opener Pathum Nissanka remains a doubt as he continues to recover from wrist surgery.
Mendis has been sidelined since sustaining a right hamstring injury during a Lanka Premier League match for Colombo Kaps against Kandy Royals on July 19, 2026, at the SSC Ground in Colombo. Niroshan Dickwella was brought in as his replacement for the Test series and made an immediate impact, scoring 80 in the first innings of the Galle Test.
Chandimal, meanwhile, hurt his neck and shoulder while fielding during the first Test in Galle. Pasindu Sooriyabandara replaced him as a concussion substitute in that match, though Sooriyabandara was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Under ICC rules, players substituted for concussion-related reasons are automatically ruled out for seven days, which rules Chandimal out of the Colombo Test.
Sri Lanka head into the second Test trailing 1-0 in the two-match series after losing the first Test in Galle.
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What did Gary Kirsten say about the injury situation?
Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten confirmed the extent of Mendis's hamstring problem and acknowledged the broader availability concerns surrounding the squad ahead of the Colombo Test. Kirsten indicated that the wicketkeeper-batter would be unavailable for some time and also addressed the uncertainty over Nissanka and Chandimal.
"Kusal Mendis has got a proper hamstring injury. He's not going to be available for a while. I'm not sure of the injury update, but as it stands at the moment, those guys... Nissanka as well, Dinesh [Chandimal] is not available for the next Test. We're missing a few guys," said Kirsten as quoted by Cricbuzz.
What is Sri Lanka's situation ahead of the Colombo Test?
Sri Lanka must now prepare for the second and final Test of the series without two experienced batters in Mendis and Chandimal, and with uncertainty over whether Nissanka will be fit to play. Nissanka is recovering from wrist surgery, and no confirmed return date has been provided.
The second Test at SSC Ground in Colombo runs from August 23 to 27, 2026. Sri Lanka need to win the match to level the two-match series, having lost the first Test in Galle. The home side will be relying on available players to fill the gaps left by the absentees, though no official replacement announcements have been confirmed.
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