IND vs SL: Possible Sri Lanka Playing 11 for 1st Test

SL Playing 11: After back-to-back T20 series defeats, Sri Lanka will be hoping for some change in fortune with the change in format as they face off India in the first Test in Mohali starting March 04. Led by Dimuth Karunaratne, the Islanders have played only two games in the ongoing WTC cycle and have secured wins in both games. With 100 % PCT, Sri Lanka is sitting atop the WTC rankings and will be hoping to continue the same against India.

They have named a 17-man squad that includes the return of Lahiru Thirimane, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella. While Thirimane missed the last Test series due to the birth of his child, Dickwella and Mendis have been added to the Test setup for the first time since the lifting of their ban.

In the bowling department, the visitors have two frontline spinners in Praveen Jayawickrama and Lasith Embuldeniya along with J Vandersay who has earned a maiden call-up. Coming to the pace attack, Sri Lanka have named Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, and Vishwa Fernando.

Team News

A 17-member squad has been announced
Dimuth Karunaratne will lead the side with Dhananjaya de Silva as his deputy
Kusal Mendis, Lahiru Thirimane, and N Dickwella have been added to the squad
Kusal Mendis is doubtful for the opening game owing to fitness issues
Ramesh Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Maheesh Theekshana are missing out
Jeffrey Vandersay has earned a Test call-up

SL Playing 11 (likely)

Lahiru Thirimane and skipper Karunaratne will open the innings
Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, D Chandimal will bat in the middle order
Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera will handle the pace attack while Lasith Embuldeniya and P Jayawickrema will form the spin attack

Lahiru Thirimane
Dimuth Karunaratne
Pathum Nissanka
Dhananjaya de Silva
Angelo Mathews
Dinesh Chandimal (wk)
Chamika Karunaratne
Suranga Lakmal
Lasith Embuldeniya
Dushmantha Chameera
Praveen Jayawickrema

Sri Lanka Squad

Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva (vc), Kusal Mendis (subject to fitness), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrema, Lasith Embuldeniya.

Related: Best opener in the world

India vs Sri Lanka Dream11 captain, vice captain picks from SL

Dimuth Karunaratne is a must-have pick from Sri Lanka in the batsmen section. Sri Lanka skipper was the top run-scorer in the 2-match series against Windies, scoring 278 runs in 4 innings at an average of 69.50, including a hundred and a fifty.

	Matches	Runs Scored	Average
Overall Test	74	5454	39.52
Against IND	09	443	41.47

Lasith Embuldeniya will be the key for Sri Lanka in the bowling lineup. He was the second top wicket-taker in the two-match series against West Indies at home and will be one of the threats to the Indian batting lineup. In 2 matches, he picked up 13 wickets at an average of 18.61 and will be a valuable pick in your team.