Sri Lanka have named Niroshan Dickwella alongside uncapped players – Keshara Nuwantha and Pasindu Sooriyabandara – in their 16-man squad for the first Test against India starting August 15. Also returning to the fold is Dilshan Madushanka, who has only one Test cap from 2023.

Dickwella, who last played Test cricket in March 2023, is the designated wicketkeeper in the squad because Kusal Mendis misses out with a hamstring injury. The hosts will also be without Pathum Nissanka, who misses out with a wrist injury.

Nuwantha, an offspinner, and Sooriyabandara, a top-order batter, were part of the three-day warm-up against India at the NCC Ground, Colombo. Nuwantha picked three wickets across two innings, notably breaching KL Rahul’s defences in the first innings in addition to getting the wickets of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant in the second. He also returned a five-wicket haul against India A in Galle recently. Sooriyabandara, who batted at No. 3 in the practice match, had scores of 35 and 4.

Dhananjaya De Silva will lead the side, with Kamindu Mendis named his deputy.