Indian team isn’t the only one facing injury concerns ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka. In a notable development, Kusal Mendis is set to miss the opening game of the series, which is to be played in Galle starting on 15th August. Local Sri Lankan publication Sports Pavilion’s Danushka Aravinda’s tweet seems to confirm the news. 

The tweet read, “Kusal Mendis is more likely to miss the first Test in Galle as he continues his recovery from injury.” The 31-year-old injured his hamstring while batting for Colombo Kaps against Kandy Royals in the Lanka Premier League 2026 game on 19th July. Mendis was batting on two when he got injured while trying to take a quick single. 

The veteran batter was eventually ruled out of the tournament after scoring 79 against Galle Gallants. The hosts are yet to announce their squad for the Test series against the visiting Indian side, and an injury to their star batter will be a huge cause of concern. 

Kusal has been in great batting form this year, and has played two Test matches, scoring 79 runs with one fifty. He has also played five ODI games, scoring 211 runs with an average of 70 and has hit two fifties. The former Gujarat Titans star has also managed 408 runs from 14 T20I games at a strike-rate of 130, with three fifties. 

What is Kusal Mendis’ Test record vs India?

The right-handed batter has played four Test matches against India. His first Test came in Galle, where he had scored a duck in the first innings and was out for 36 in the second innings. Mohammed Shami dismissed the batter in the opening innings, with Ravindra Jadeja taking his wicket in the second essay. 

His only century against India came during the second innings of the SSC Test, where he amassed 110 off 135 balls before falling to Hardik Pandya. In the next four innings, the batter has managed mere 86 runs with a best of 54 and an average of 21.5. In all, the player has been part of 4 Tests against India, scoring 256 runs at an average of 32 with one ton and one fifty. 

Mendis has played 75 Test matches since his debut in 2015 and has amassed 4836 runs at an average of 36. The batter has also hit 10 centuries and 23 fifties, with a best of 245 that came against Ireland in 2023.