Prolific veteran earns SL Test call-up

An uncapped veteran with more than 550 first-class wickets to his name headlines the inclusions in Sri Lanka's squad for the first Test against India, starting on Wednesday.

Thirty-year-old left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara has been added to the 15-man squad in place of left-arm wrist-spinner Lakshan Sandakan.

Pushpakumara, a veteran on the domestic scene, boasts an extraordinary first-class record of 558 wickets at an average of 19 from 99 matches. And he's been in highly impressive form this season, having taken 77 wickets at an average of 13.79.

He also took 13 wickets in Sri Lanka A's clash against England Lions in Feburary and was named in Sri Lanka's Test squad for their series against Bangladesh in March, although he didn't play.

Pushpakumara has never played for the country, no doubt due to the presence in the side of fellow left-armer Rangana Herath, who will captain Sri Lanka in Galle due to the absence of Dinesh Chandimal with pneumonia.

Paceman Nuwan Pradeep and allrounder Dhananjaya de Silva are the other inclusions the squad for the one that won a tight battle against Zimbabwe earlier this month.

De Silva could take the place of Chandimal in the middle order with uncapped left-hander Danushka Gunathilaka, normally an opener, his main competition for a spot.

De Silva was one of the surprise packets of the series against Australia last year, the highlight being his twin scores of 129 and 65no in the third Test in Colombo, but he had been dropped for the Zimbabwe Test.

Pradeep, who has been sidelined with a hamstring problem, returns in place of Dushmantha Chameera.

The first Test in Galle against the world No.1 will be followed by matches in Colombo and Pallekele.