Dinesh Chandimal, the newly appointed Sri Lanka Test captain, has been ruled out of the Galle Test against India and is a doubtful starter for the next Test in Colombo. The 27-year-old was admitted to a hospital with pneumonia, Asanka Gurusinha, the team's cricket manager, confirmed on Friday (July 21).

"We were actually only told late last night - the blood Test came a bit late. He's got pneumonia," he said. "He was admitted to hospital this morning at 9am, and he's definitely out of the first Test.

"The doctors have advised us this morning to say: 'Finish the first Test' and they'll advise us afterwards. If they tell us he needs another week to recover, that's it. We can't do anything."

In Chandimal's absence, Rangana Herath will lead the side. Herath had earlier led Sri Lanka to a 2-0 win in Zimbabwe in 2016-17, picking up a total of 19 wickets at an average of 15.10. He took 13 for 152 in the second Test to blow the hosts away. He also led Sri Lanka in the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh earlier this year.

Chandimal led Sri Lanka to a memorable record win over Zimbabwe in the one-off Test after being appointed Test captain. The responsibility was bestowed on Chandimal after Angelo Mathews decided to step down. The last time Sri Lanka had faced India in a Test in Galle, Chandimal had hammered an unbeaten 162 in the second innings to help Sri Lanka post a come-from-behind win by 63 runs.

India start their tour with the first Test in Galle before heading to Colombo for the second Test. The third Test will be played in Pallekele and the series will be followed by five ODIs and a one-off T20I.