Sri Lanka will be without key batters Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal for the second test against India beginning Sunday, compounding the team's injury concerns following their 165-run defeat in the series opener.
Sri Lanka's batting lineup faces significant depletion for the upcoming second test match against India, with coach Gary Kirsten confirming the absence of two important middle-order batters. Kusal Mendis will miss the match due to a hamstring injury sustained during last month's Lanka Premier League competition, while Dinesh Chandimal remains unavailable following a concussion suffered while fielding in the first test at Galle.
Chandimal was forced to leave the field during the opening match and was replaced by Pasindu Sooriyabandara. Under International Cricket Council regulations, any player substituted due to concussion is automatically ruled out for seven days, making his participation in Sunday's test impossible. Mendis's injury is more concerning for the team's medium-term prospects, as Kirsten indicated the wicketkeeper-batter will be sidelined for an extended period rather than just the upcoming fixture.
The injury problems extend beyond these two players. Pathum Nissanka remains unavailable after undergoing wrist surgery in June, further limiting Sri Lanka's batting depth. Despite these setbacks, Kirsten expressed a measured perspective on the situation, suggesting that the absences could provide opportunities for replacement players to prove themselves. Sri Lanka will be seeking to level the three-test series after losing the first match by 165 runs at Galle.
