Sri Lanka bring in Upul Tharanga for Kumar Sangakkara
Thursday 27 August 2015 13:50, UK
Upul Tharanga will replace Kumar Sangakkara in the Sri Lanka team for the third and final Test against India, which starts in Colombo on Friday.
Sangakkara brought the curtain down on his 134-Test career last week during the second Test in Colombo which India won to tie the series at 1-1.
Left-handed batsman Tharanga, 30, played the final Test of the recent series against Pakistan but made way for Sangakkara for the first two matches against India.
"In his last match he hit a couple of 45s. He went out only because Sangakkara came in," said Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews.
Mathews also revealed that off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal, the most successful bowler for the hosts with 12 wickets, is doubtful for the third Test with a thumb injury on his bowling hand.
But paceman Nuwan Pradeep, who missed the second Test with a hamstring injury, is fit and available for selection.
With the retirement of Sangakkara, Mathews said Sri Lanka are still undecided on their batting order.
"We're trying to get our combination right to see who is best in what position," Mathews said. "We'll have to give it a bit more time for that, and then try and stick to a combination.
"In the past two series we've not made too many changes in our batting line-up, but with Kumar Sangakkara retiring now, we've got an opportunity to test those players in different positions."
India are also poised to make changes to the side that won the second Test by 278 runs with opener Murali Vijay and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha ruled out with injuries.
Team director Ravi Shastri said India were also not certain about their batting order, having promoted Ajinkya Rahane to No 3 at the expense of the struggling Rohit Sharma in the second Test.
"In this team, no one owns a batting position. It all depends on the situation," former India captain Shastri said.
"We will play horses for courses and see what the situation and the opposition demands.
"We play only for one reason and we play to win. Now we are in a position where if we can win this Test, we win the series which is massive."
