Mahela was Sangakkara's captain just few months ago

Jayawardana is the first ever former captain to be appointed as a vice captain in Sri Lanka's Test cricket history.

Jayawardana, who was Sangakkara’s predecessor, was appointed as the vice captain by Sri Lanka selectors at a very young age to groom him for the future leadership.

“It was proved to be a good decision,” select committee chairman Aravinda de Silva earlier told BBC Sinhala service.

Grooming young players

“Mahela went on to become a very successful captain for Sri Lanka.”

De Silva’s committee was expected to name young all-rounder Angelo Mathews as the deputy to Sangakkara following earlier strategy, according to a cricket analyst.

TM Dilshan was thought to be another possible replacement for Murali in his capacity as the deputy to Sangakkara.

The veteran opening bowler Chaminda Vaas tipped Mathews to succeed Sangakakara.

Ajantha Mendis, who was not selected for the first Test replaces Murali as the specialist spin bowler for the second Test that begins on 26 July in Colombo; Lasith Malinga is to be rested due to an injury he sustained in the first Test, Sri Lanka Cricket announced.

Sri Lanka secured a ten wicket victory over India in the first Test in Galle. Muttiah Muralitharan created a new world record in Test cricket scoring 800 Test wickets in his last ball in the match.

The team for the second Test in Colombo: Kumar Sangakkara (Captain), T.M. Dilshan, Tharanga Paranawithana, Mahela Jayawardana (V Captain), Thilan Samaraweera, Anjelo Mathews, Thilina Kandamby, Prasanna Jayawardena, Ajantha Mendis, Chanaka Welagedara, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Hearth, Dhammika Prasad, Dilhara Fernando, Lahiru Thirimanna,Nuwan Pradeep.