India tour of Sri Lanka two-Test series to start in Galle on August 15 with WTC points at stake
India and Sri Lanka will contest a two-Test series that begins in Galle from August 15 to 19 and continues in Colombo from August 23 to 27, with World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake.
The series offers India a chance to regain momentum in Test cricket after losing 0-2 at home to South Africa in November 2025, and comes nine years after Virat Kohli’s side won a three-match series in Sri Lanka in 2017; Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hardik Pandya and Ravichandran Ashwin featured prominently in that campaign. Shubman Gill leads the current Indian side, and Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as an important part of India’s batting plans; India will rely on their top order to lay foundations for the middle order.
Sri Lankan surfaces are expected to emphasise spin, which places a premium on footwork and shot selection for batters such as Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. The Indian batters will have to adjust to slower, turning pitches and choose when to use their feet, sweep or defend, as any failure to adapt could allow Sri Lanka’s spinners to apply sustained pressure.
India’s bowling plans are affected by the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, whose injury removes a key fast-bowling option and increases responsibility on the remainder of the attack. Mohammed Siraj is expected to lead the pace unit while Prasidh Krishna and other pace bowlers take on important roles. Ravindra Jadeja’s return is described in the source as a major boost because he can contribute runs, take wickets and save runs in the field.
The combination of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar is presented as giving India multiple spin options to attempt to take 20 wickets in a Test, and India may also consider debutant Auqib Nabi as an additional bowling dimension. The source states that with Bumrah unavailable, the bowling unit will need collective discipline rather than reliance on a single individual.
Shubman Gill’s captaincy is described as yet to produce the consistency India would want in Test cricket, and he will face pressure to make the right tactical decisions following the drawn series against England last year. The source emphasises that field placements, bowling changes and decisions on spin versus pace can have major impacts over five days, and Gill will need player support to manage difficult periods and keep the team focused.
Sri Lanka enter the series with the advantage of playing at home and knowledge of how their pitches behave, and head coach Gary Kirsten is noted as capable of preparing the squad tactically and mentally. The source also states Sri Lanka’s recent performances show they possess enough talent to compete in different conditions and that India cannot afford to underestimate them.
Neither India nor Sri Lanka has won the World Test Championship since the competition began in 2019; India have reached the final twice, finishing runners-up in 2021 and 2023. Every Test in the current WTC cycle carries significance for both sides, and results in Sri Lanka could influence the direction of both teams' campaigns over the coming months.
