After losing the first test by 304 runs at Galle, their new test captain Dinesh Chandimal will make a comeback into Sri Lankan squad ahead of the second test match to be played at SSC, Colombo from 3rd August.
Dinesh Chandimal did not play the first test because of pneumonia. He was made the captain of the Sri Lankan team after Angelo Mathews stepped down from captaincy in all formats.
Sri Lanka was bowled out for 291 and 245 in the first innings. With Dinesh Chandimal coming into the squad, it will give the batting a major boost for an inexperienced which failed to play the Indian bowling. Dinesh Chandimal was forced to stay in the hospital for four days which ruled out him out of the first test.
The management said, Dinesh Chandimal looks fit to lead Sri Lanka in the second test at Colombo. Sri Lanka struggled in all three departments during the first test at Galle. The experienced Rangana Hearth led the side in place of Chandimal. India outplayed Sri Lanka and won the match by a massive 304 runs to take a 1-0 lead.
“Dinesh Chandimal looks fine for the second Test. He started training two days ago. I spent some time with him today and he has checked in to the team hotel. We will still monitor him and work with doctors. But the main thing is that Chandimal is happy and we will see how it goes and then make a call. But all in all, he should be fine,” quoted Asanka Gurusingha.
India played outstanding cricket right from word go. All the Indian batsmen contributed and helped Men in Blue to post a massive 600 runs in the first innings. Shikhar Dhawan continued his brilliant form scoring 190. He was named as man of the match. Apart from that Kohli scored a century in the second innings.
If Sri Lanka is to make a comeback in the series, Dinesh Chandimal role in the team would be important. Mathews, Tharanga is the only experienced batsmen. His comeback into the batting line up would give Sri Lanka much needed confidence.