Sri Lanka call up Sahan Arachchige and Kamil Mishara after injuries rule out key batters for the second Test against India.
Sri Lanka have made changes to their squad for the second and final Test against India, with Sahan Arachchige and Kamil Mishara reportedly earning call-ups as replacements for experienced batters Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal.
According to international cricket media reports on Thursday, Sri Lanka Cricket has added the two batters ahead of the upcoming Test after injuries and availability issues affected the home side’s options.
Mendis has been sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained during the early stages of the Lanka Premier League 2026. The right-handed batter was already unavailable for the opening Test and had been replaced in the squad by Niroshan Dickwella.
Sri Lanka will also be without Chandimal for the second match. The veteran batter is unavailable under ICC concussion regulations, which prevent a player substituted because of a concussion from returning to action within seven days.
Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten previously indicated that the absence of several senior players could provide an opportunity for younger members of the squad to establish themselves at international level.
The hosts also face uncertainty over opener Pathum Nissanka, who remains doubtful as he continues his recovery from wrist surgery performed in June.
Arachchige has received his opportunity after producing an impressive performance for Sri Lanka A in their recent red-ball matches against India A. The batting all-rounder was particularly effective in the second game, where he scored a century.
The uncapped Test player could now be in contention for a place in Sri Lanka’s playing XI as the hosts look to strengthen their batting options against India.
Mishara, meanwhile, has been rewarded for his outstanding Lanka Premier League campaign. He scored 411 runs across nine innings at an average of 51.37 and played an important role in helping Jaffna Kings reach the tournament final.
Sri Lanka suffered a 165-run defeat in the opening Test in Galle and will be hoping their revamped squad can produce a stronger response in the series finale. The addition of Arachchige and Mishara gives the hosts fresh batting options as they attempt to level the contest against India.