Sri Lanka Selectors have dropped opener Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis for the India tests, as well as have included Dhananjaya De Silva and Dasun Shanaka in the 15-men squad, Cricket Age reliably learns.
Silva had a forgettable test series against Pakistan in UAE recently, where he couldn’t score a single half century in four innings. Though, interim coach Nic Pothas praised his work ethic recently, but selectors have decided to move on, as they have included Dhananjaya De Silva as an opening partner with Dimuth Karunaratne. De Silva has been in blistering form against West Indies A and was top scorer from the both sides in recently concluded Unofficial test series.
Kusal Mendis was also an outright struggle against Pakistan in both tests, with scores of 10,18,1,29 in four innings. Though, he made a sparkling hundred against India in July, but his form has largely been sporadic across all formats since then.
Selectors have rewarded young Sadeera Samarawickrama for his Consistent performances at any given chance. He made his test debut in Dubai, and immediately impressed one and all with his positive batting style. He was also part of the recently concluded T20 series against Pakistan, where he played two useful innings, batting at number three.
In another brave call, selectors have also included Hard hitting allrounder Dasun Shanaka in the test squad. A technically sound batsman, Shanaka has been in form of his life since last one year. Against West Indies A, he smashed a whirlwind century in the second unofficial test, and also played a scintillating knock in the third T20 match at Lahore.
Sri Lanka to play three tests, three ODIs and three T20s in 37 days long tour.
The first test will be played at Historic Eden Garden, Kolkata from 16th November. Three match ODI series will be played on 10th, 13th and 17th December. The tour will end up with three t20 matches, as first match is scheduled to be played on 20th December in Cuttack.
