SL vs IND: India’s likely XI for second Test in Colombo (Predicted)

India will head to the second and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on 23 August after a 165-run victory in Galle that gave Shubman Gill’s side a 1-0 series lead. The Galle result also provided a boost to India’s ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 campaign.

The first Test produced several notable individual performances that shape selection for Colombo: Devdutt Padikkal scored a maiden century and amassed 211 runs across both innings to earn Player of the Match, KL Rahul made 82 and 35 in the two innings, Rishabh Pant struck a vital fifty in the second innings, Dhruv Jurel reached a half-century in the first innings, and Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck in the second innings. Manav Suthar also impressed in Galle. Team management and captain Shubman Gill are expected to travel to Colombo with a largely settled squad, with the only probable change being between Saransh Jain and Kuldeep Yadav after Kuldeep’s ordinary outing.

A projected playing XI places Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as openers, Devdutt Padikkal at No.3, Shubman Gill at No.4, Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeper-batter, followed by Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel and the bowling unit. Selection notes state Gill will continue as captain. Padikkal’s recent form is cited as justification for his selection in the top order.

The pace attack is expected to be led by Mohammed Siraj with Jasprit Bumrah rested for the series. Siraj is described as India’s spearhead and the highest wicket-taker for India in this WTC cycle. Prasidh Krishna is favored for the second seamer role after finishing the Galle Test with three wickets.

Spin and all-round options centre on Ravindra Jadeja and the possible inclusion of Saransh Jain. Jadeja’s all-round contributions with bat and ball are retained as a key part of the side. Saransh Jain — an experienced domestic spinner with 181 first-class wickets and 2223 runs — is the main contender to make his Test debut should the selectors choose to replace Kuldeep Yadav.

The second Test begins at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on 23 August, where India will attempt a clean sweep to improve their chances of finishing high in the WTC points table. India’s ability to surpass Bangladesh in the standings will depend both on a win in Colombo and on Bangladesh suffering defeat against Australia.