Sri Lanka have suffered a big blow ahead of the second Test against West Indies, with opening batsman Pathum Nissanka out due to a wrist injury. The right-handed batsman has flown to London for surgery after suffering from the problem during recent international matches.
The second and last Test of the ongoing series between Sri Lanka and West Indies will begin on Friday, July 3 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Nissanka’s absence leaves Sri Lanka without one of their most reliable batsmen as they look to level the two-match Test series.
Pathum Nissanka out of second test; going to have wrist surgery
According to a newswire report, Pathum Nissanka has undergone wrist surgery in London after being ruled out of the second Test against West Indies. The Sri Lankan openers struggled in the first Test and could only score 2 and 3 runs against the West Indies pace attack.
Nissanka had also withdrawn from the 2026 Lanka Premier League to focus on his recovery. Sri Lanka Cricket decided to send the 27-year-old player to London for specialist treatment as they aim to get him fit for the upcoming series against India and England.
Despite a disappointing performance in the first Test, Nissanka has been one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent batsmen in red-ball cricket. He has scored 1,310 runs in 19 Test matches at an average of over 42, which includes four centuries and seven fifties. Notably, he has never been out on a duck in 33 Test innings.
Double blow to Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka’s absence is another blow for Sri Lanka, with fast bowler Lahiru Kumara also ruled out of the second Test with a hamstring injury. Kumara was injured during the opening Test against West Indies.
Injuries to Nissanka and Kumara have forced Sri Lanka to change their plans for the second Test. Captain Dhananjay de Silva and the team management will now have to rely on other players to fill places in the playing eleven.
These setbacks have come at a crucial stage in Sri Lanka’s World Test Championship campaign. After a heavy defeat in the first Test, the visitors now face a tough challenge as they try to level the two-match series.
West Indies eye series sweep
West Indies beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 217 runs in the first Test at North Sound. This was their first win in the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship under captain Roston Chase.
Aamir Jangu and Roston Chase made a record 401-run partnership for the sixth wicket.Most for that wicket in Test cricket. Jangu scored his maiden double century and was named player of the match, while Kemar Roach took four wickets in the second innings and reached 300 Test wickets.
Sri Lankan captain Dhananjay de Silva scored a century in the first innings, but the visitors were bowled out for just 101 runs in the second innings. They will need a better performance in Antigua to avoid a series defeat.
