By Champika Fernando

Sri Lanka’s misfiring top-order batsmen, Kaushal Silva and Kusal Mendis have been axed from the 15-man squad to face India in a three-match Test series next week. The team will leave the island on November 8 with the first match scheduled to be played in Calcutta starting on November 16.

Mendis, one of Sri Lanka’s brighter prospects, with three centuries and four half-centuries under his belt in as many as 22 matches, was a pale shadow of himself during the recent Pakistan series, scoring just 58 runs in four innings—a major contribution towards his axing from the side. Kaushal, who is Karunaratne’s opening partner, has for a while struggled for runs at the top of the order and his axing was no surprise.

But Mendis’s exclusion has surprised former Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene who questioned the wisdom of the selectors. “Don’t understand how Kusal Mendis is not in the squad to India? Even if he is not playing, he should be in India. That’s how young players learn,” Mahela tweeted.

 Against India at home, Mendis smashed a century (110) in the second Test.  The selectors have also retained Lakshan Sandakan in the side ahead of Malinda Pushpakumara—the left arm spinner who is in great form.  Pushpakumara, who made his debut against India in August, had picked up 23 wickets in six innings as Sri Lanka A put up a spirited effort to record a 2-1 win in the unofficial Test series. With all-rounder Asela Gunaratne yet to regain complete match fitness after a long injury-lay-off, the selectors have recalled Dasun Shanaka into the side. Shanaka scored an unbeaten 102 and 60 in the second unofficial Test match against West Indies A.

With Kaushal and Mendis out, Dhananjaya de Silva is likely to open batting with Dimith Karunaratne followed by young Sadeera Samarawickrema who made his Test debut against Pakistan in Dubai. Angelo Mathews who missed the Pakistan series due to injury is back in the side but there was no place for all-rounder Asela Gunaratne and Kusal Janith Perera.

Probable Sri Lanka Test squad:

Dinesh Chandimal – Captain, Lahiru Thirimanna - Vice Captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrema, Angelo Mathews, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal,  Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage