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Herath injured in fresh blow for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's most potent wicket-taking threat has been ruled out of the third Test against India in Pallakele

Key bowler Rangana Herath has joined Sri Lanka's growing injury list for the third and final Test against India starting Thursday, in a blow to their hopes of a consolation win.

The 39-year-old spinner, Sri Lanka's best and the world No.3 in Tests behind India's Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, is out with a back injury, chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya said.

"Herath will not be able to play in the third Test," Jayasuriya said. "He is suffering a stiff back."

Watch all of Herath's 28 wickets v Australia

Allrounder Asela Gunaratne and bowler Nuwan Pradeep picked up injuries in the first and second Tests respectively. 

Gunaratne drops catch, needs surgery on thumb

Skipper Dinesh Chandimal missed the first Test after being hospitalised for pneumonia, and fast bowler Suranga Lakmal was ruled out before the series.

India will also be handicapped by the one-match ban slapped on Jadeja by the International Cricket Council for dangerous play.

The left-arm spinner was reprimanded for a dangerous throw at batsman Malinda Pushpakumara in the second Test in Colombo.

Dangerous throw gets Jadjea banned for Test

He was also docked half his match fee and given three demerit points by the ICC. That pushed him over the limit for demerit points to be converted into suspension points, rubbing him out for the Pallakele Test.

After the final delivery of the 58th over, fielding off his own bowling, Jadeja threw the ball back at batsman Pushpakumara, who had not left his crease.

The ball narrowly missed him in a manner which the umpires deemed "dangerous", the ICC said. Jadeja took five wickets to help dismiss Sri Lanka for 386, as India triumphed by an innings and 53 runs to wrap up the series.