Sri Lanka’s veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath has been ruled out of the third Test against India owing to back pain.

With Sri Lanka having lost the series and with a hectic Test season ahead, the team management decided on resting the spinner.

Herath was injured in the first Test while fielding but recovered sufficiently to play in the second Test.

Herath joins the list of other Sri Lankan players like all-rounder Asela Gunaratne, pacers Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep, who have all been ruled out of the series.

In the 39-year-old's absence, left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara will be leading the spin challenge.

The third Test starts in Pallekele on Saturday, August 12.

Image: Rangana Herath 

Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images