India omit Sarfaraz Khan, pick Kuldeep Yadav in Galle for 1st Test

India left Sarfaraz Khan out of their XI and recalled left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav for the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on their 80th Independence Day, with captain Shubman Gill winning the toss and electing to bat.

Gill’s selection choices included Kuldeep ahead of uncapped Saransh Jain and Prasidh Krishna over Gurnoor Brar, while the playing combination was described as two fast bowlers, two specialist spinners and two all-rounders, with Kuldeep joining Ravindra Jadeja in the spin department; Gill said India were going in with the "same team" they had fielded in their previous Test. The selectors also opted to back wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel in the lower middle order ahead of Sarfaraz Khan, a decision that ended pre-match speculation about Sarfaraz’s role after his recall to the squad as Sai Sudharsan’s replacement.

Sanjay Manjrekar presented the pitch report on Saturday morning in Galle, noting the surface had an even covering of grass and saying "it's not a rank turner."

Sri Lanka handed a Test debut to spinner Keshara Nuwantha and named a side missing Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka due to injury concerns. Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Lahiru Udara, Nishan Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Keshara Nuwantha (On Test debut), Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando.

India’s XI was listed as Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna. Sarfaraz, who had trained with the squad after being recalled, remained on the sidelines and Dhruv Jurel was confirmed to bat alongside regular wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had urged the team management to give Sarfaraz clarity over his role and backed Dhruv Jurel to remain ahead of him in the pecking order, arguing that "the batter needed to understand what the management expected from him rather than being left uncertain about his role."

The match is the first of a two-match Test series in Galle, with India having chosen to bat after winning the toss on the opening day.