Ishant Sharma released from Test squad after he fails to make the playing XI

Ishant Sharma was named in the 15-man Test squad earlier along with Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, but the fast bowler failed to make the cut in the playing XI after the team decided to go with the other three. As a result, he, now, has been released from the squad for the first match but will rejoin the squad for the second Test, starting November 24.  

In the meantime, he will represent Delhi in a high-intensity game against Maharashtra on Friday. Sharma, who led Delhi in the first three matches and picked 15 wickets in six innings, would be a huge boost for the state team.   

India, on the other hand, have started the match in the worst possible manner. After long hours of rain reduced the game to just under 12 overs on Day 1, the Sri Lankan bowlers managed to do some serious damage to the hosts' top-order by picking up three wickets in the short span of time, with Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli all being dismissed for low scores.