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Kusal Mendis Doubtful for 1st Test vs India: The first match of the two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on August 15 at the Galle International Stadium. Prior to this match, the Indian team will play a warm-up game against a Sri Lankan XI. While Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has already been ruled out of the entire series due to injury, the hosts, Sri Lanka, have also suffered a major setback. Sri Lanka's star wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis could miss the first Test as he has not fully recovered from an injury.
Sri Lanka Injured Players Update: Kusal Mendis Uncertain for Galle Test
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According to local Sri Lankan media reports, it appears highly unlikely that Kusal Mendis will play in the Galle Test. He sustained a hamstring strain while taking a run during a match for the Colombo Cops in the domestic franchise T20 league (Lanka Premier League). There had been doubts about his participation against India ever since the injury occurred. The medical team has advised that fielding him before he is fully fit could be risky; consequently, he is on the verge of missing the first Test.
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Kusal Mendis Test Career & Record vs India
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Kusal Mendis missing the first Test is considered a significant blow for the Sri Lankan team, given the immense value of his experience. Mendis has performed exceptionally well against India:
- Record vs India: 256 runs in 8 innings across 4 Test matches (1 century and 1 half-century).
- Overall Test Record: A total of 4,836 runs in 139 innings across 75 Test matches.
- Overall Centuries & Fifties: 10 centuries and 23 half-centuries in his Test career.
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