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Who Is Nishan Peiris, Sri Lanka's Latest Spin Sensation Picked For 2nd Test vs New Zealand?

Nishan Peiris replaces injured Vishwa Fernando (Sri Lanka Cricket)Nishan Peiris replaces injured Vishwa Fernando (Sri Lanka Cricket)

As the saying goes, ‘opportunity knocks but once,’ and for uncapped offspinner Nishan Peiris, that knock has come in the form of an unexpected call-up to Sri Lanka's Test squad for the second and final Test against New Zealand. Peiris, at 27, has been on the fringes of the national team for some time, but with Vishwa Fernando sidelined by a hamstring injury, Peiris may finally have his chance to shine on the big stage.

Nishan Peiris Called Up for SL vs NZ 2nd Test After Vishwa Fernando’s Injury

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed Fernando's injury in a statement, explaining that the seamer "developed tightness in his right hamstring while practicing." The fast bowler will undergo rehabilitation at the board's high-performance centre, ruling him out of the second Test.

Though Fernando did not play in the first Test — a game Sri Lanka won by 63 runs — his role in the second was already under question, as seam bowling has had limited impact on Sri Lankan pitches so far.

Now, all eyes turn to Nishan Peiris, whose steady rise in domestic cricket has quietly built him a reputation as a dependable off-spinner.


With 172 first-class wickets in 41 matches at an impressive average of 24.37, Peiris has paid his dues and honed his craft, showing he has what it takes to compete at the highest level. His recent outing with Sri Lanka A in South Africa further showcased his potential, as he picked up three wickets in the first unofficial Test.

Despite being named in the Test squad twice before—once in 2018 and again in March this year—Peiris is yet to don the whites for Sri Lanka.

Mendis Under Pressure as Peiris Eyes Test Debut

With incumbent offspinner Ramesh Mendis coming under fire for a somewhat erratic performance in the first Test, Peiris might just sneak his way into the playing XI.

Mendis, who took six wickets across both innings, did grab the vital scalp of Daryl Mitchell in the second innings but struggled with control, allowing New Zealand's batters to relieve pressure when they most needed it. His economy rate was the poorest among Sri Lanka's spinners, and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva hinted at possible changes.

For Peiris, this could be the moment he has been waiting for, a chance to step up and turn the tables on the Kiwis in the high-stakes second Test.

Though still uncapped, his quiet confidence, backed by solid domestic form, makes him a player worth keeping an eye on. Whether he gets a debut in this Test or not, one thing is certain: Nishan Peiris is knocking on the door, and sooner or later, that door will swing open.