Ailing Sri Lanka captain Chandimal out of Galle test

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal will miss next week's first test against India after being diagnosed with pneumonia, dealing a big blow to the hosts ahead of the three-test home series against their neighbours. The 27-year-old was named test captain earlier this month after long-serving skipper Angelo Mathews stepped down following Sri Lanka's first one-day international series defeat to Zimbabwe. The right-handed batsman then led Sri Lanka to a win in the one-off test against the same opposition. "Chandimal was down with flu and was taken to the hospital this morning," a Sri Lanka Cricketspokesman told Reuters. The first test against Virat Kohli-led India starts on Wednesday at Galle.

Chandimal will miss the 1st Test against India, & in his absence team will be led by Spin master Rangana Herath. https://t.co/2J1wvkirPy

— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) July 21, 2017

"We were actually only told late last night - the blood test came a bit late. He's got pneumonia," Asanka Gurusinha, Sri Lanka's cricket manager, was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. "He was admitted to hospital this morning at 9 AM (local time), and he's definitely out of the first test."

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Also Read: Chandimal, Tharanga to lead Sri Lanka after Mathews departs

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Sri Lanka have limited-overs captain Upul Tharanga in the side while spin spearhead Rangana Herath has also lead the side last year in the absence of Mathews.