Kusal Mendis averaged 14.50 with the bat during Sri Lanka’s Test series against Pakistan

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Sri Lanka have overlooked batsman Kusal Mendis and opener Kaushal Silva for the upcoming Test series in India.

Mendis’ absence from the squad is baffling as he has scored three centuries and four fifties in the 22 Tests he has played to date.

However, he struggled to have an impact during the two-Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates as he scored 58 runs at an average of 14.50.

As for Kaushal, his return to the national team was short-lived as he only mustered 67 runs at an average of 16.75 in the series against Pakistan.

But, Mendis and Kaushal aren’t the only players who failed to make the cut for the tour of India as pace bowler Nuwan Pradeep suffered the same fate. However, in Pradeep’s case, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have decided to rest him as they know he is injury-prone.

With the trio out, Sri Lanka have recalled all-rounders Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka and Angelo Mathews, who missed the series against Pakistan with a calf injury.

In their last Test series against India, which came in July-August, Sri Lanka were whitewashed 3-0 as they lost every match by a massive margin.

The three-Test series between India and Sri Lanka gets underway on November 16 in Kolkata.

Sri Lanka’s Test Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Lahiru Gamage, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Roshen Silva