Sony Sports Network to air India’s three-day warm-up vs Sri Lanka XI in Colombo

India will play a three-day warm-up match against a Sri Lanka XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) Ground in Colombo from August 7-9, 2026, and Sony Sports Network will telecast the game live. The fixture, part of India’s preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series, was reduced from four days to three by Sri Lanka Cricket.

India are focused on the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka beginning August 15 and on restarting their campaign in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 Cycle; Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out due to injury. The Men in Blue trained against quality spin in Mumbai before flying to Colombo, and several young domestic players have joined the squad as net bowlers to prepare for Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly conditions. The scheduled warm-up match will provide additional match practice ahead of the Tests.

Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the match was shortened to three days after it had originally been planned as a four-day fixture. Although the game is unofficial, it offers captain Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir an opportunity to test combinations and give valuable match practice before the opening Test. Team management have used both net sessions and the warm-up to assess options.

Sony Sports Network will telecast the SL vs IND warm-up match live, with coverage starting at 10:00 AM (IST). The three-day clash will also be available for live-streaming on the SonyLIV app and website.

Schedule: Warm-up match: August 7-9 – Sri Lanka XI vs India (Colombo); 1st Test: August 15-19 – Galle; 2nd Test: August 23-27 – Colombo.

Following the practice match, India will begin the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, with the first Test scheduled to start on August 15 in Galle.