Sri Lanka named its 16-man squad for the three-match Test series against India with Dinesh Chandimal elected to lead the side once again.
Top-order batsmen Kusal Mendis and Kaushal Silva were the biggest omissions in the squad with their poor form of late counting against them.
The biggest positive for the islanders was the return of all-rounder Angelo Mathews who has recovered from a recurring calf-strain.
There was a recall for two all-rounders in the form of Dasun Shanaka and Dhananjay de Silva. Both players were part of the revamped Sri Lanka squad which toured Lahore for the final T20I against Pakistan recently.
The islanders had been whitewashed across all formats at home to India earlier this year with their performances drawing criticisms from all quarters of Sri Lankan cricket.
They fared marginally better in their bilateral series in the UAE where they became the first side to record a Test series win over Pakistan in their makeshift ‘home’.
Sri Lanka were once again whitewashed in the limited-over formats against Sarfraz Ahmed’s men.
Following a dismal year, Sri Lanka will be looking to salvage some pride in the tour of India.
The team is scheduled to play three Tests followed by as many ODIs and T20Is against the home side.
The first Test between will be held at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from November 16-20.