Sri Lanka rushed back into the squad: Kail Mishara and Sandun Arachchige called up

Sri Lanka have drafted in batter Kail Mishara and all-rounder Sandun Arachchige into the squad for the second Test against India in Colombo, hoping to plug gaps in a batting order stretched by injuries and unavailability at the top.

The hosts will be without Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal for the SSC Test, a significant triple setback as they attempt to bounce back from a heavy opening defeat.

Sri Lanka squad for 2nd Test v India

Lahiru Udara, Kail Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Sandun Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Ratnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando.

After the Galle Test, which India won by 165 runs, Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten confirmed that Kusal has a "proper hamstring injury" sustained playing tennis during the Lanka Premier League and won't be available for a while. His absence is compounded by the reduction of Chandimal, who was ruled out of the Galle Test following an injury on fielding day, with concussion protocols necessitating a minimum seven-day stand-down time. He was replaced by Pasindu Sooriyabandara as a concussion substitute.

Arachige an answer from the A side

Arachage, uncapped in Tests, impressed in the unofficial Tests between the two A sides, scoring a defiant hundred in the second game and topping the run-charts for Sri Lanka A. While India A won the game by 10 wickets, his defiant knock at five, while leading the side, was one of the highlights for the hosts.

Mishara looked in fine nick during the Lanka Premier League 2026, his first season, and continued that form into a 145 in the Major Clubs T20 tournament the very same day he was called up to the Test squad. He is likely to open with incumbent opener Nishan Madushka not picked for this match.

The 14-man squad also has no place for Dilshan and Ramesh Mendis, who were part of a 16-member squad for the Test in Galle. The second Test between the two sides begins on August 23.

*Story updated at 12:30PM on August 21 after SLC made public the official squad list