# Injuries Batter Sri Lanka Ahead of Colombo Test as India Target Series Sweep

> Sri Lanka face a severe injury crisis as Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal are ruled out of the second Test in Colombo, opening the door for India to secure a 2-0 series sweep.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-08-19 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/colombo-men-sri-lanka-ki-barhi-mushkilen-chotila-khilariyon-ke-jhatake-ke-bicha-india-ke-pasa-sirija-men-klina-svipa-ka-mauka-18519 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Sri Lanka vs India, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Colombo Test, Gary Kirsten, Manav Suthar, Niroshan Dickwella, Test Cricket

Sri Lanka's selection woes have intensified significantly ahead of the second and final Test against India. Star wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis and former captain Dinesh Chandimal have both been ruled out of the decisive fixture, which is scheduled to take place at the historic Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27. In addition to these two major absences, opening batsman Pathum Nissanka is also facing fitness uncertainties. With India having already secured a commanding 1-0 lead following their victory in the series opener at Galle, the visitor squad now holds a major opportunity to complete a 2-0 series clean sweep on Sri Lankan soil.

## Double Injury Setback and Uncertainty Over Pathum Nissanka
The home team's crisis began developing prior to the series when Kusal Mendis suffered a severe hamstring injury during the Lanka Premier League last month. The muscle strain was serious enough to keep him out of the first Test in Galle, and subsequent medical evaluations confirmed that he requires additional rehabilitation time, effectively ruling him out of the Colombo encounter as well.

Meanwhile, experienced batsman Dinesh Chandimal suffered a concussion during the first Test after being struck on the head by a short delivery. Following medical evaluation on the field, he was deemed unfit to continue playing and was forced to withdraw mid-match. Under standard concussion safety guidelines, Chandimal has been made unavailable for selection for the upcoming second Test. Compounding Sri Lanka's selection dilemmas, opening batsman Pathum Nissanka is also dealing with physical fitness issues, leaving his participation in the final Test in doubt until final pre-match assessments are conducted.

## Head Coach Gary Kirsten Confirms Absences, Highlights Opportunities for Youth
Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten officially confirmed the unavailability of both key senior players ahead of the Colombo Test. Kirsten explained that Mendis's hamstring injury remains serious and requires him to stay off the field for an extended period. He also verified that Chandimal would not be selectable for the final match due to concussion protocols.

Addressing the team's predicament, Kirsten acknowledged the impact of losing experienced performers while urging rising talent to step up. **"Missing such experienced players is definitely a loss for us, but this is a great opportunity for young cricketers to prove themselves,"** head coach Gary Kirsten said. He added that several domestic players have compiled impressive records in Sri Lanka's first-class circuit, and the upcoming Test provides them with a premier platform to display their caliber at the international level.

## India's Galle Dominance and Manav Suthar's Six-Wicket Haul
India established complete control in the series opener, outclassing Sri Lanka by a massive margin of 165 runs at the Galle International Stadium. The victory featured dominant performances across all departments, putting the home side under immense pressure heading into the final fixture of the tour.

Young spinner Manav Suthar played the starring role in India's decisive win, producing a devastating spell of spin bowling in the second innings. Suthar ripped through the Sri Lankan batting lineup to claim 6 wickets, effectively dismantling any hopes of a second-innings fightback. On Day 4 of the match, after Chandimal was forced out due to concussion, debutant Pasindu Sooriyabandara was brought into the XI as a concussion substitute. However, Sooriyabandara's international debut turned out to be a quick disappointment, as he was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball he faced from Suthar.

## Niroshan Dickwella's Resistance and the First-Innings Follow-On Avoidance
In the absence of Kusal Mendis during the first Test, experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella was included in the playing XI. Dickwella made the most of his opportunity, delivering a resilient 80-run knock off 115 balls in the first innings to stabilize the Sri Lankan innings.

Dickwella combined with middle-order batsman Sonal Dinusha to build a vital 146-run partnership for the sixth wicket. This impressive stand proved crucial, enabling Sri Lanka to avoid following on in their first innings. Despite that brave fightback, Sri Lanka's second-innings batting folded rapidly against India's aggressive bowling attack, resulting in a heavy defeat. As the action shifts to Colombo, Sri Lanka's revamped batting order faces an uphill task against India's formidable bowling lineup.

## What this means for you
**For Cricket Fans:**

- **Across India:** Team India has a prime opportunity to complete a 2-0 Test series clean sweep on foreign soil from August 23 to 27.
- **In Sri Lanka:** Local fans will see an untested middle order as emerging domestic talents get a stern test against India's bowling attack.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. When and where will the second Test between India and Sri Lanka be played?
The second Test match will be played from August 23 to August 27 at the historic Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

### 2. Which key Sri Lankan players have been ruled out of the second Test due to injury?
Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis (hamstring injury) and former captain Dinesh Chandimal (concussion) are ruled out of the second Test.

### 3. What was the result of the first Test match played in Galle?
India dominated the first Test at Galle, defeating Sri Lanka by a margin of 165 runs to take a 1-0 series lead.

### 4. Which Indian bowler produced a six-wicket haul in the first Test?
Young Indian spinner Manav Suthar took six wickets in the second innings of the Galle Test.

### 5. How did concussion substitute Pasindu Sooriyabandara perform on his debut?
Pasindu Sooriyabandara debuted as a concussion substitute on Day 4 but was dismissed for a golden duck on his very first ball by Manav Suthar.

### 6. What was Niroshan Dickwella's contribution in the first innings of the Galle Test?
Niroshan Dickwella scored 80 runs off 115 balls and forged a vital 146-run sixth-wicket partnership with Sonal Dinusha to avoid the follow-on.

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