Eyebrows were raised when Dickwella was named in Sri Lanka's squad, with 33-year-old having last earned a Test cap against New Zealand in Christchurch in March 2023.
The 33-year-old's recall has come in for fierce criticism with his batting average at 30.97 and having not hit a century in 96 innings in the longest format.
What makes the selection even more puzzling is that both top-scorers in Sri Lanka's domestic four-day are wicketkeepers with Sadeera Samarawickrama averaging 77 and the uncapped Anjala Bandara averaging 61.
Dhananjaya batted away questions about Dickwella in the pre-match press-conference, saying: "The only thing I have to tell Niroshan Dickwella is to keep well. That's why he's in the team.
"Dickwella had to leave the Test squad over the last few years because Kusal Mendis went to No. 7, and Kusal has played well there in the last few years so Dickwella didn't get a chance to come back.
"But when you play at Galle, the most important thing is that the player with the best glovework plays.
"The decision to recall Dickwella is one we had with the coach and selectors, and they all agreed. We did have the chance to give an opportunity to another player, but as the keeper with the best glovework, Dickwella came through."
India are expected to be without pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for their upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka after the BCCI medical team advised against rushing his return from a persistent left knee injury.
England launched the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in emphatic fashion on Friday, overwhelming Sri Lanka by 87 runs at Edgbaston and extending their remarkable record in home World Cups.
Cricket West Indies unveiled an exciting schedule for the 2026 Men's International Home Series, setting the stage for an electrifying summer of cricket across the Caribbean.
Kumar Sangakkara has been confirmed as one of nine Transformation Committee members that has been appointed to run Sri Lanka Cricket after the country's government removed the previous board.
