2nd Test starts today
Sri Lanka suffered a setback ahead of the second Test against India starting today with injured paceman Dammika Prasad being ruled out of the match.
The 26-year-old right-arm quick had strained his hamstring during the first Test in Ahmedabad which ended in a high-scoring draw last week.
"We are not considering Dammika for this match," Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara told a pre-match press conference on Monday.
"He is recovering very well and we hope he will be available for selection for the third and final game in Mumbai."
Prasad, who has taken 13 wickets in four Tests, returned figures of 2-106 off 22 overs in India's first innings but could bowl just 13 overs in the second.
Sangakkara said the team could go in with a third spinner or opt for fast bowler Dilhara Fernando, who was flown in as a replacement for the injured Thilan Thushara ahead of the second Test.
"Prasad's injury means we can play three spinners if we want to. Ajantha (Mendis) is always in the reckoning and Fernando has also been bowling quite fast and accurately."
The tourists, seeking their first-ever Test win in India, picked left-arm spinner Rangana Herath to partner Muttiah Muralitharan ahead of Mendis for the first Test, going on form rather than past record.
Mendis, an unorthodox spinner, starred in Sri Lanka's 2-1 Test victory at home against India in 2008, picking a record 26 wickets, but his form has dipped of late.
The good news for Sri Lanka was the fitness of in-form opener Tillakaratne Dilshan, who scored 112 in Ahmedabad before hurting his nose during a game of football after the match.
"Dilshan had a broken nose but it has been fixed up. He is fine now," said Sangakkara.
The Sri Lankan captain also backed Muralidaran, who went wicketless in India's second innings, failing to get any assistance from the flat track.
"He is a legend. When you have a legend on your side, you will depend on him always. I don't think he is struggling. I am a very strong believer in Murali."
The 37-year-old spinner, 14 short of extending his world record Test wicket haul to 800, is playing his last overseas tour after having announced in July his intention to quit the longest format of the game next year.
The Indian camp meanwhile breathed a sigh of relief after captain and wicket keeper-batsman Mahendra Singh Dhoni was cleared to play.
Dhoni had injured his finger during practice, prompting the team management to call in Dinesh Karthik as cover on Sunday.
The third and final Test begins in Mumbai on December 2.
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