Mishara and Arachchige added to Sri Lanka squad for Colombo Test against India

Batter Kamil Mishara and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige have been called into Sri Lanka's squad for the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, beginning August 23. The pair are the latest additions as the hosts manage a growing injury list ahead of the match.

India took the series lead by winning the Galle Test by 165 runs, and Sri Lanka now face the prospect of going into the Colombo fixture without Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal and Pathum Nissanka. Niroshan Dickwella had already been brought in to cover for Mendis, while Pasindu Sooriyabandara entered the Galle Test as a concussion substitute for Chandimal. The call-ups of Mishara and Arachchige add further depth to a squad stretched thin by unavailability.

Why are Mendis, Chandimal and Nissanka unavailable for Colombo?

Kusal Mendis's hamstring injury, confirmed by Kirsten as a proper hamstring injury sustained in the Lanka Premier League, has kept him out of the series from the outset. Niroshan Dickwella was already named as his replacement before the Galle Test concluded.

Dinesh Chandimal was hurt on Day 4 of the Galle Test and is ruled out under concussion protocols, which mandate a minimum seven-day stand-down period before a player can return to action. Pathum Nissanka is also unlikely to feature in Colombo, though the specific reason for his unavailability has not been confirmed in the supplied evidence. Sri Lanka's top-order batting has been significantly disrupted as a result.

What do Mishara and Arachchige bring to the Sri Lanka squad?

Kamil Mishara has represented Sri Lanka in ODIs and T20Is but has not previously been selected for a Test match. He made an impression during his first season in the Lanka Premier League 2026, and on the day of his Test squad call-up, he struck 145 off 72 balls in the Major Clubs T20 tournament, a knock that underlined the form that earned him his selection.

Sahan Arachchige arrives without a Test cap but with recent experience at a high level. He led Sri Lanka A in the second unofficial Test against India A, where he finished as the top run-scorer for his side with an innings of 127. India A won that match by 10 wickets, but Arachchige's contribution stood out and appears to have been a key factor in his promotion to the senior squad.

Sri Lanka Updated squad for second Test vs India in Colombo

Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Kamindu Mendis (VC), 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