Sri Lanka’s selectors dropped Kusal Mendis from the Test squad for the India tour so as to defend him from an extra potential lack of kind and confidence in India.
Mendis endured a modest Test collection towards Pakistan, through which his contributions had been 10, 18, 1 and 29. Though he made a wonderful century towards India in August, he had solely crossed fifty in two of his final 14 innings.
Mendis’ omission from the squad has induced some consternation, particularly as he has been repeatedly talked up by coaches and administration because the batsman on whom the highest order may hinge in coming years. Earlier within the yr, towards Bangladesh, Mendis’ 194 additionally turned out to be a match-winning innings.
Nevertheless, in line with chief selector Graeme Labrooy, it’s exactly as a result of the selectors are conscious of Mendis’ potential, that they left him out of the squad.
“We do not need a state of affairs the place he performs two extra innings, will get two low scores after which drop him and destroy his confidence additional,” he advised The Island. “He has received age on his aspect and we wish him to go on to turn out to be one of many greats of the sport. We wish him to play for an additional ten years.”
Not solely had been Sri Lanka comfortably whitewashed by India within the three-Test collection in July and August, they’ve additionally struggled in India traditionally, having by no means gained a Test there. The tour is more likely to problem even probably the most skilled Sri Lanka batsmen, with India’s bowlers in excellent kind at dwelling.
“We did not need to throw him to the deep finish or take him to India and depart him on the bench,” Labrooy stated. “What we tried to do was to let him play some home cricket, work on his recreation and regain his confidence. He’s a confidence participant. For him confidence is all the things, and he has received all the things in his armoury.”
That Lahiru Thirimanne was most well-liked to Mendis has been a specific bone of rivalry, given Thirimanne’s very modest Test file. He averages 23.1 throughout 52 Test innings, and has crossed fifty solely 5 occasions in his profession.
Nevertheless, whereas Thirimanne has been picked within the squad, his place within the high order just isn’t fully assured. Dhananjaya de Silva, who has returned to kind with scores of 104, 73 and 64 for Sri Lanka A on the West Indies tour, might enter the highest order. Although de Silva had made a profitable entry into Test cricket from the decrease center order, it’s as an opener that he often performs for his home membership aspect, Tamil Union.
“The No.three place is a toss up between Thirimanne and Dhananjaya,” Labrooy stated. “We’re glad that Dhananjaya made some runs for Sri Lanka A within the Caribbean. He shall be thought of as an opener or No. three batsman sooner or later and we do not need to drop him to the center order.”
With Kaushal Silva – who opened unsuccessfully for Sri Lanka within the UAE – disregarded of the squad to India, de Silva and 22-year-old batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama turn out to be the first candidates to open the innings alongside Dimuth Karunaratne. Samarawickrama is usually a middle-order batsman and wicketkeeper in first-class cricket, however does open the innings in limited-overs cricket for his membership aspect.
He had showcased substantial attacking aptitude in his maiden Test innings in Abu Dhabi, and it’s the type and charge of his run-making that seems to have struck the selectors.
“Sadeera is a participant for the longer term. That is the proper time that we must always carry him in. Now’s the time for him to chew the bullet and take up that problem towards world’s primary ranked crew. He’ll put strain again on the bowlers by placing the unfastened balls away. We’re very impressed along with his recreation.”
