Nishan Peiris and Viran Chamuditha miss out Sri Lanka ‘A’ slots against Kiwis
Off-spinner Nishan Peiris and young batter Viran Chamuditha have both missed out on selection for the Sri Lanka ‘A’ squad due to fitness-related concerns, dealing a setback to two players who were firmly in contention. While Peiris was omitted after failing to meet the required standards in the mandatory fitness tests, Chamuditha’s absence is due to an injury that was reportedly aggravated during his school cricket commitments.
Chamuditha, the promising Sri Lanka Under-19 star and a product of St. Servatius’ College, Matara, had been undergoing rehabilitation when he was cleared by Sri Lanka Cricket’s medical staff to participate in the annual limited-overs encounter against St. Thomas’ College, Matara. However, the decision proved costly as the youngster aggravated the same injury during the match, effectively ruling him out of the upcoming assignment. The setback has halted what had been a steady rise for the talented top-order batter, who was expected to play a key role in the limited-overs series.
His absence, however, has created an opportunity for another emerging talent. Kavija Gamage, also a member of Sri Lanka’s recent Under-19 pool, has been drafted into the limited-overs squad for the
series against New Zealand ‘A’.
The selectors appear keen to continue investing in youth, and Gamage’s inclusion offers him a valuable chance to impress at a higher level.
Meanwhile, the selectors have opted for experience to fill the void left by Nishan Peiris. Thirty-year-old off-spinner Ramesh Mendis has been recalled for the two four-day matches. Mendis, who featured in 16 Test matches for Sri Lanka, has endured a modest domestic season, collecting only 13 wickets in 10 games for Moors Sports Club. His inclusion has raised eyebrows, particularly with Akila Dananjaya being overlooked despite a prolific campaign that saw him claim 53 wickets in 10 matches, including three five-wicket hauls. Dananjaya though primarily bowls off-spins at domestic level, he is reportedly bowling legs-spin at the international level–a reason for his exclusion, the selection committee sources said.
Meanwhile, Dilum Sudeera and Wanuja Sahan, the two leading wicket-takers in the SLC Major League Tournament, have both earned selections for the series. Their performances with the ball have been among the standout contributions of the season. Eighteen-year-old Chamika Heenatigala, a promising spinning all-rounder, has also been named in the squad for the four-day fixtures, further highlighting the selectors’ focus on grooming young talent.
Several players with national experience have been included in both squads to provide balance and stability. Kamil Mishara, Pavan Rathnayake, Milan Rathnayake, Sonal Dinusha and Nuwanidu Fernando are all expected to shoulder key responsibilities as Sri Lanka ‘A’ prepares for the challenging tour against New Zealand ‘A’. The tour beings today with the unofficial One Day series at Galle.
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