# Sri Lanka Face Major Setback Ahead of India Test Series as Injured Kusal Mendis Likely to Miss Opener > Sri Lanka have suffered a significant setback ahead of their upcoming two-match Test series against India starting August 15, with star wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis likely to miss the opening Test due to a hamstring injury. **Type:** article · **Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-08-06 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/india-ke-khilapha-testa-sirija-se-pahale-sri-lanka-ko-laga-bara-jhataka-injari-ke-karana-kusal-mendis-ka-pahala-maicha-misa-hona-t-14435 · **Language:** English **Tags:** India vs Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka Cricket, Test Series, Team India, Lanka Premier League Excitement is mounting among cricket fans across the globe as preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka reach their final phase. Both teams are fine-tuning their tactical strategies ahead of what promises to be an intense red-ball contest. The opening Test match of this highly anticipated bilateral series is scheduled to commence on August 15. Before plunging into the main series, Team India will play a practice match beginning on August 7 to adapt to the local pitch conditions and weather. Cricket enthusiasts will be able to follow the live broadcast of this practice encounter across both traditional television networks and mobile digital streaming platforms. However, just as preparations reach their peak, troubling news has surfaced from the host nation's camp. Sri Lanka's star wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis is now expected to miss the opening Test match on August 15 due to lingering fitness issues stemming from a recent injury. ## Hamstring Injury Sustained During Lanka Premier League Action Kusal Mendis, an essential player in the Sri Lankan middle-order batting line-up, suffered the injury while featuring in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Playing for his franchise, the Colombo Caps, in a competitive fixture against the Kandy Royals, Mendis sustained a strain to his right leg while out on the field. Detailed medical examinations subsequently confirmed that he had suffered a right leg hamstring injury. The unfortunate incident took place on July 19, which effectively sidelined him from participating in any further LPL matches for his team. Initial optimistic assessments had suggested that the top-order batter might regain full fitness in time for the high-profile Test series against India. However, latest evaluation reports indicate that Mendis has not made a complete recovery, and his chances of attaining 100 percent match readiness by August 15 remain extremely slim. ## Official Squad Announcement Delayed Pending Medical Clearance The Sri Lanka Cricket administration has notably held back the official announcement of their Test squad for the upcoming home series against India. With the first Test match approaching rapidly, the decision to delay the squad announcement is widely attributed to the lingering uncertainty surrounding Mendis's physical condition. The selection committee and team management have been monitoring his rehabilitation closely to determine whether he can be considered for the second Test or if an alternative wicketkeeper-batter needs to be drafted into the squad. An official announcement from Sri Lanka Cricket is anticipated very soon, which will formally clarify Mendis's status and lay out the final team roster for the home series. ## Career Stats Highlight Mendis's Key Role Across Formats Having last taken the field in an active match on July 19, Mendis has been sidelined for weeks while undergoing targeted rehabilitation under the care of medical experts. His potential absence represents a serious tactical setback for Sri Lanka, given his extensive experience and solid performances across all three formats of international cricket. In Test cricket, Mendis has represented Sri Lanka in 75 matches, accumulating over 4,500 runs with several crucial contributions to his credit. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), he has featured in 156 matches and scored nearly 5,000 runs for his nation. Furthermore, in T20 Internationals, Mendis has made 109 appearances while registering over 2,500 runs. Missing a batter of his immense calibre and international experience in the opening match against a strong opponent like Team India leaves a significant void in Sri Lanka's batting and wicketkeeping setup. ## What this means for you **For Cricket Fans:** The potential absence of star batter Kusal Mendis could impact Sri Lanka's strength in the upcoming Test series against India. Fans can tune in to live coverage on TV and mobile for the warm-up match starting August 7, ahead of the first Test on August 15. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. When does the first Test match between India and Sri Lanka start? The first Test match of the two-game series between India and Sri Lanka will begin on August 15. ### 2. Why is Kusal Mendis likely to miss the first Test against India? Kusal Mendis is recovering from a right leg hamstring injury and is unlikely to be fully fit by August 15. ### 3. When and where did Kusal Mendis suffer his injury? Mendis sustained the injury on July 19 while playing for Colombo Caps against Kandy Royals in the Lanka Premier League (LPL). ### 4. When is Team India's practice match scheduled and where can fans watch it? Team India's practice match starts on August 7, and fans can watch it live on TV and mobile streaming platforms. ### 5. What is Kusal Mendis's career record in Test cricket? Kusal Mendis has represented Sri Lanka in 75 Test matches, scoring over 4,500 runs. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._