Mystery spinner Ajantha Mendis [ Images ] made it to Sri Lanka's [ Images ] 14-member squad for the first cricket Test against India [ Images ] with the pace attack looking severely depleted by injuries to frontline pacers.

Dilhara Fernando could not recover from his knee injury and joined Lasith Malinga [ Images ] and Ferveez Maharroof on the sidelines.

In their absence, Thilan Thushara and Nuwan Kulasekera will share the new ball responsibility with old war horse Chaminda Vaas [ Images ].

Mendis' inclusion would bolster the spin department where Muttiah Muralitharan [ Images ] is hoping to give the famed Indian batting order a good run for their money.

Mendis has already proved what he is capable of in the Asia Cup final where he wrecked India with a six-wicket haul and it would be interesting to see how he fares against the Big Four of the Indian team -- Sachin Tendulkar [ Images ], Rahul Dravid [ Images ], Sourav Ganguly [ Images ] and VVS Laxman [ Images ].

Chamara Silva also finds a place in the side and he looks in red hot form, something he underlines with half centuries in both the innings in the warm-up match against India.

Squad: Michael Vandort [ Images ], Malinda Warnapura [ Images ], Kumar Sangakkara [ Images ], Mahela Jayawardene [ Images ] (c), Thilan Samaraweera [ Images ], Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan [ Images ], Prasanna Jayawardene [ Images ] (wk), Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekera and Chamara Kapugedera [ Images ].