Now Reading: Dhananjaya de Silva defends Dickwella recall for India Test
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Dhananjaya de Silva defends Dickwella recall for India Test
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva has defended the recall of wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella for the first Test against India at Galle, saying superior glovework was essential on a challenging pitch. Dickwella…
The Story in Brief
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva has defended the recall of wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella for the first Test against India at Galle, saying superior glovework was essential on a challenging pitch. Dickwella replaces the injured Kusal Mendis, a move that has drawn criticism from fans who point to in-form domestic players such as Sadeera Samarawickrama being overlooked.
De Silva also backed fast bowler Lahiru Kumara despite his recurring hamstring injuries, calling him the fastest red-ball bowler in the country and irreplaceable in the squad. The captain hinted that off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha could make his debut, praising his consistency. Galle International Cricket Stadium will host its 50th Test during this match.
The Indian Opinion
Sri Lanka's selection debates tend to circle between loyalty to veterans and calls for fresh blood. The captain has given a clear, pitch-specific reason for recalling Dickwella, glovework matters at Galle, but critics who see only batting averages miss that point. At the same time, backing an injury-prone Lahiru Kumara exposes how thin the fast-bowling pool really is. The question is not whether the choices are sentimental; it is whether Dickwella's keeping and Kumara's fitness will hold up under India's pressure in the first session.
Sources (2): telanganatoday.com, thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
