Sri Lanka Cricket has named an 18-member squad for the first Test against Bangladesh, set to begin on Tuesday, 17 June, at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. The squad will be led by Dhananjaya de Silva and includes several fresh faces alongside seasoned campaigners.
Notably, veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews will play his final Test in Galle, drawing the curtain on a distinguished red-ball career. The 37-year-old has been a stalwart of Sri Lankan cricket for over a decade and will be aiming to finish on a high note.
The squad features six uncapped players: Lahiru Udara, Tharindu Ratnayake, Pasinda Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Pavan Ratnayake, and Isitha Wijesundara—signalling a clear intent to build towards the future.
This two-match series marks the beginning of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship cycle for both teams. Sri Lanka finished sixth in the previous cycle, narrowly ahead of Bangladesh, who placed seventh. South Africa emerged as the eventual champions.
The second and final Test will be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo from 25 June.
Full Squad:
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Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain)
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Pathum Nissanka
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Oshada Fernando
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Lahiru Udara
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Dinesh Chandimal
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Kusal Mendis
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Kamindu Mendis
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Angelo Mathews
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Pasinda Sooriyabandara
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Sonal Dinusha
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Isitha Wijesundara
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Pavan Ratnayake
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Tharindu Ratnayake
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Akila Dananjaya
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Milan Rathnayake
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Asitha Fernando
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Kasun Rajitha
All eyes will be on Galle as a new-look Sri Lankan side embarks on a fresh chapter in Test cricket, under the guidance of their new skipper and the experience of a departing legend.