Reuters: Left-handed batsman Upul Tharanga will replace retired Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara for the third and final test against India, captain Angelo Mathews said on Thursday.

Sangakkara, arguably the greatest Sri Lankan batsman, finished his 134-test career last week during the second test in Colombo which India won to tie the series at 1-1.

The 30-year-old Tharanga played the final test of the 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,” Mathews told reporters ahead of the test starting on Friday.

Off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal, the most successful bowler for the hosts with 12 wickets, was doubtful for the third test with a thumb injury on his bowling hand, Mathews said.

But paceman Nuwan Pradeep, who missed the second test with a hamstring injury, was fit and available for selection.

With the retirement of Sangakkara, Mathews said Sri Lanka were 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 line-up that won the second test convincingly in Colombo with opener Murali Vijay and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha ruled out with injuries.

Team director Ravi Shastri said India were also not rigid on their batting order, having promoted Ajinkya Rahane to number three 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.”

No change in tactics, strategies: Shastri

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Reuters: India would play the final Test against Sri Lanka with the same tactics and strategies that it adopted in the previous matches, said cricket team director, Ravi Shastri, on Thursday (27 August).

India plays the decider on Friday (28 August) in Colombo and Shastri was confident that the team will display the same performance like it did in the previous Test.

“Nothing changes from day one. When I spoke to you before Galle, we play for only one reason, we play to win. So we have got ourselves in a position now where if you win this Test match now, you win the series, which is massive. So there is no point being shy of going for a win. At the same time, it’s not a case of being overconfident, you got to have the right balance and go and play proper cricket like we did in the last Test match over five days,” he said at a news conference in capital Colombo.

Shastri also said that injury has hurt India a lot as Naman Ojhawas was called into the squad after wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha suffered a hamstring injury in the second Test match and was ruled out of the three-match series in Colombo.

Earlier, Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan had to come back due to a hairline fracture in his hand.

Despite concerns over injury, Shastri was confident with his young talents, especially K.L. Rahul.

“Rahul is a bright young prospect as you saw. Did not get runs in Galle but then that is what we believe in. He has the temperament, he’s got the stuff to make it count. He had two poor innings in Melbourne, a lot of teams would not have struck with him but we had the confidence, we played him in that Test match. The captain in particular, Virat, had a lot of confidence in him and he responded with a hundred,” said Shastri.

Rahul had struck a century in the last Test and also took a diving, one-handed catch. He was adjudged man of the match.

Sri Lanka won the opener. India levelled the series by winning the second Test against the hosts by a huge 278-run victory.

The team which wins the Colombo Test will win the series.

SL Vs India 3rd Test: Free entrance for school children

Sri Lanka Cricket in a statement said all school cricketers and children are invited to support the Sri Lankan Team when they play their final test match in the ongoing India tour of Sri Lanka. 

Entrance for all school children will be free of charge for this special occasion. School principals are requested to inform the school children to make use of this offer. Children are requested to come in their respective school uniform to receive free entry to the venue.