With crucial ICC WTC points up for grabs, India and Sri Lanka will return to Test cricket this Saturday as the island nation hosts its giant neighbors for a two-match Test series to be played in Galle and Colombo.
Both teams are missing some of their first-choice players owing to untimely injuries. India are bereft of the services of Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar, Akas Deep, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Sai Sudharsan, while Sri Lanka will be without Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka.
The last time India toured Sri Lanka, in 2017, Virat Kohli’s dominant unit swept aside the Lankans by 3-0 in the three-match rubber.
Things are starkly different this time. Then, Kohli’s team was indomitable, but now, Gill’s side that is transitioning is still recovering from the setbacks it has suffered over the last couple of years, both home and away.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will look to stun India, taking a blueprint from the success of New Zealand and South Africa.
IND vs SL: What time does the India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test start?
The 1st Test of the India tour of Sri Lanka 2026 is scheduled to kick off at 10:00 AM IST on August 15, Saturday, with the toss slated for 9:30 AM.
IND vs SL: Where To Watch India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test In India? Live Streaming, TV Channel Details
The India vs Sri Lanka Test series will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Networks’ TV channels in India. Also, Indian fans can live stream the series on the Sony Liv app and website.
IND vs SL: India predicted XI for 1st Test
On the eve of the 1st Test, it could be read with fair conviction the names of 10 of the 11 players that will take the field for India on Saturday in Galle.
Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav are almost certain to play, ahead of the uncapped Saransh Jain, to form a spin trio with Ravindra Jadeja, while Devdutt Padikkal, the centurion from the warm-up match, will take Sai Sudharsan’s No. 3 spot, and Dhruv Jurel will get the nod over Sarfaraz Khan.
The only contending spot, it seems as of now, will be that of the second seamer: Prasidh Krishna or Gurnoor Brar.
India predicted XI: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (vc), Dhruv Jurel, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Manav Suthar, Prasidh Krishna/Gurnoor Brar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
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