IND vs SL: Sri Lanka Batsman Pathum Nissanka Likely To Miss 2nd Test In Bengaluru - Reports

Sri Lanka’s dismal tour of India in which they have lost all the four matches played until now- three T20Is and one Test- may get worse, as reports have emerged that talented opener Pathum Nissanka may miss the upcoming second Test against India in Bengaluru which begins from March 12 onwards.

Sri Lanka had lost the first Test in Mohali by crushing innings and 222 runs as they managed just 174 and 178 runs in reply to India’s 574/8d. It was an embarrassing batting and bowling performance by the islanders in the first Test, overall as their batters had no answer to Ravindra Jadeja, who picked 9 wickets in the match, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who picked 6 wickets.

Jadeja also slammed 175* from the no.7 spot and added 100 plus runs with Rishabh Pant (96), Ravichandran Ashwin (61), and Mohammad Shami (20*), and was chosen as the Player of the Match for his performances.

Old Back Injuries Rise Their Ugly Head Forcing Pathum Nissanka To Sit Out Of Bengaluru Test- Reports

Nissanka had been a shining light for Sri Lankan on this dark tour of India, as he scored 75 in the second T20I at Dharamsala and made 61 and 6 in the first Test, looking assured against the Indian bowlers, both spin and pace.

According to reports in the Sri Lankan media, the 23-year-old aggravated some old back issues during training in the lead-up to the game. A Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) official confirmed the development to CricWire.

“Pathum has some back pain from one of his previous injuries, we will monitor his situation but he is unlikely to play,” the official said.

As for the options for the Sri Lankan team management who can replace Nissanka in the playing XI, they have two in Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis. Mendis, who missed the first Test due to a hamstring injury, is now available for selection and is the front-runner.

In 47 Tests, Mendis has scored 3022 runs, including seven centuries and 11 fifties, at an average of 34.74. He recently missed six months of international action due to a stringent ban for breaking bio-bubble rules during the Lankans’ tour of England last year.

The second and final Test between the two sides begins on March 12 in Bengaluru and will be a day-night Test match at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.

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