Reports: Doubts surround Dimuth Karunaratne’s fitness for first Test against Pakistan in Galle

Dimuth Karunaratne (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

Sri Lanka find themselves amidst uncertainty ahead of the first Test match against Pakistan in Galle. The presence of their captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, is in doubt due to a hamstring injury. In the coming 48 hours, Karunaratne will undergo fitness tests in Colombo, and if deemed unfit, he will not travel to Galle for the first Test, which kicks off on Sunday, July 16.

If Karunaratne fails to clear the fitness test, vice-captain Dhananjaya de Silva will be leading the side. As the selectors have almost finalised the squad, they eagerly await the fitness reports of their skipper before making a final decision.

“In the event of Dimuth’s unavailability, the team will be led by the 31-year-old all-rounder, Dhananjaya de Silva, who is already the vice-captain.” The aforementioned information was shared by a close SLC source with the Sri Lanka Daily Mirror on Thursday morning, as reported by Cricket Pakistan.

The ambiguity surrounding Karunaratne’s availability would affect Sri Lanka’s preparations. As the team’s captain and leader, he has been playing regularly and displaying good leadership skills. If Karunaratne fails the fitness test, other players will have the opportunity to step up and assist the team.

Furthermore, Sri Lanka may also face the absence of pacer Lahiru Kumara, who is grappling with a side-strain injury. The unavailability of these two pivotal players will create a challenging situation for the selectors, who are striving to form a well-balanced team to contend against a formidable Pakistan side.

The upcoming days hold paramount importance not only for Karunaratne but also for the selectors who bear the responsibility of making tough decisions to ensure the team’s success in the forthcoming matches. “They have selected the squad for the first Test only. The team for the second Test (to be played in Colombo (July 24-28) will be finalised on the third day of the first Test,” the source added.

Sri Lankan cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate further updates on the captain’s condition and the subsequent team selection, fervently hoping for a positive outcome in their pursuit of victory against Pakistan.