Ahead of the second and final Test between India and Sri Lanka, the tourists have suffered a major blow as their top-order batter Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the match because of a back injury.
There is no doubt that Nissanka’s absence would hurt the Islanders, as he was one of the few positives for them in the first Test against India at PCA Stadium in Mohali, which the hosts won by an innings and 222 runs.
The right-handed batter top-scored for Sri Lanka with an unbeaten 61 in the first innings. Although he failed to carry the same momentum in the second essay, contributing only 6 runs but it was only his seventh Test, and the Galle-born already averages close to 45.
Adding to the troubles, Dushmantha Chameera, who didn’t play the two-match series opener in Mohali, is also unavailable for selection as he continues to recover from an ankle injury.
On the eve of the pink-ball Test, Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne said that Chameera’s workload was being managed until the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled for October this year.
Further, Chameera is also expected to be at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, starting March 26, where Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) have roped him for INR 2 crore at the mega auction held last month.
“The [Sri Lanka team] medical panel has told us that we have to manage his injury till the T20 World Cup, and that he should be used (only) for white-ball cricket,” Karunaratne said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
Additionally, Lankan pacer Lahiru Kumara will also be unavailable for selection with a hamstring tear. The 25-year-old sustained an injury during the first Test and couldn’t even complete his 11th over in the game. Kumara didn’t bowl further in the match, however, he did come to bat on both occasions, getting dismissed for a nought in the first innings and for 4 runs in the second essay.
