Sri Lanka Announces Squad with Six Uncapped Players, Including Tharindu Rathnayake

Sri Lanka Signal New Era with Six Uncapped Players for Bangladesh Test 🔄 Transition Time Sri Lanka have named six uncapped players in a fresh-faced 18-man squad, signaling a changing of the guard in their red-ball setup. With Angelo Mathews playing his final Test series and Dimuth Karunaratne already retired, this is clearly a pivot toward the future. ➡️ Top 7 almost settled – Only the 2nd opener's spot is up for grabs. 🔁 Out of the Squad Nishan Madushka – Out after a tough England tour. There's a distinct feeling of a changing of the guard about the 18-man squad announced on Sunday, with this being Angelo Mathews' final Test series and Dimuth Karunaratne too no longer around following his retirement earlier this year. Of the six uncapped players, opening batter Lahiru Udara, 31, and spin-bowling allrounder Sonal Dinusha, 24, are carry-overs from Sri Lanka's last tour against Australia. Udara is primed to step in to the Karunaratne-shaped hole at the top of the order, having had sustained domestic success over several years now - though, notably, it was Oshada Fernando who got the nod in Sri Lanka's most recent Test. Vishwa Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Peiris, Jeffrey Vandersay – All miss out. 🔍 Coach & Selector Views Focus on balance: Blending experience (Mathews, Chandimal, Dhananjaya) with emerging names. Galle pitch: Likely to aid spin – may push selectors toward two frontline spinners. 📌 Key Talking Points Mathews’ farewell tour makes this series symbolic. Karunaratne’s absence opens up new opportunities at the top. A bold shift to youth with six potential debutants. Akila Dananjaya’s return adds intrigue – can he reclaim past glory? Sri Lanka squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Tharindu Rathnayake, Akila Dananjaya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Isitha Wijesundara