by Champika Fernando

Sri Lanka Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal has been ruled out of the opening Test match against India due after contracting pneumonia. Sources said the skipper will at least miss the first two matches. Sri Lanka will play three Test matches with the first one starting on July 26 in Galle.

He was admitted to hospital for treatment this morning.

Chandimal did not attend the yesterday’s press conference to announce the tour as he was down with the flu. However, his condition has worsened this morning and was rushed to the hospital for further treatment.

In his absence, the national selectors will turn to Rangana Herath to lead the side. Herath led Sri Lanka in Zimbabwe last year and was also the Test skipper during the home series against Bangladesh after regular skipper Angelo Mathews was ruled out with an injury.