India heads back to Sri Lanka after a nine-year gap, kicking off a two-Test series at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on August 15, 2026.
Both matches count toward the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, where India currently sit fifth in the table with 52 points and a points percentage of 48.15 from nine Tests so far.
Shubman Gill takes charge as captain, though his build-up hasn’t been entirely smooth. He picked up a finger injury during a training session in Colombo and had to sit out part of the warm-up match as a result.
He’s since returned to batting and looked more than ready heading into the opener, with reports suggesting he’ll slot in at number four.
Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier pace bowler, is out of the entire tour with an injury, which is a significant blow given his usual impact with the ball.
Auqib Nabi has been drafted into the squad as his replacement, but he is lower down the pecking order behind Mohammad Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar.
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Live Scorecard
Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test: Toss result & Live updates
De Silva and Dinusha power Sri Lanka with their fifties
Skipper De Silva and Dinusha both reach the fifty-run mark, as for the first time in Sri Lanka’s second innings does their batting look even a bit stable. This would be Dinusha’s third 50+ score in his last four innings following his earlier century and a masterful 92 against Bangladesh last year.
Sri Lanka start slow on Day 5
The duo of De Silva and Dinusha play it safe on the final day as Sri Lanka looks to complete the biggest chase at Galle. On the other hand, India had some near-breakthroughs, with Jadeja twice shouting at Dinusha’s wicket only for the umpire to shake his head.
End of Day 4 – Sri Lanka: 84/4
The Indian pace attack struck early and struck hard. The entire Sri Lankan top order have already been sent back to the pavilion with one whole day of game still remaining. Dinusha, who saved the Lankans from a follow-on in the first innings, is still on the crease and would look to continue his heroics in the second innings.
Indian bowling attack tears through Sri Lanka
The Indian bowling attack started attacking from the very beginning, taking four wickets in the last session of day four. Mohammad Siraj opened the floodgates by dismissing Madushanka before Krishna and Suthar scalp their own targets.
The run chase begins
Sri Lanka’s run chase begins after a slight rain delay during the Tea session. Can the hosts chase down the massive total in the next four innings?
TEA: India 193/10
India bowled out for 193 runs as they lead by 371 runs. Sri Lanka have four sessions to chase the total.
India lose seven wickets
The second session sees Rishabh Pant hitting a fiery half-century but he failed to convert the knock into a big innings as India lose seven wickets.
At LUNCH: India 116/4
Devdutt Padikkal narrowly misses out on a half-century as India lose four wickets in the first session.
Sri Lanka strikes early on Day 4
Yashasvi Jaiswal walked back to the pavilion in the very first over of Day 4. KL Rahul followed him shortly after a good start. Dines Chandimal picked up an injury during fielding and has been taken to hospital for further treatement. India 72/2.
End of Day 3: Sri Lanka: 284/10
India have bowled out Sri Lanka for 284, with Suthar and Jadeja claiming four and three wickets each, respectively. However, India won’t come out to bat today as the umpires have called it a day due to rain.
Krishna finally gets the breakthrough for India
The fast bowler finally manages to dismiss the resilient Dickwella and breaks the partnership that nearly took the match back to the drawing board. The Sri Lankan wicketkeeper goes back to the dressing room having scored a crucial 80 (115).
TEA: Sri Lanka – 214/5
The 100-run partnership between Dinusha and Dickwella completely halted India’s bowling attack and made sure that the hosts can reach the 200-run mark. With one session remaining they have the chance to end the day on a high note.
Double half-centuries power Sri Lanka to 100-run partnership
Both Dickwella and Dinusha continue to weather the Indian bowling attack as they try to take Sri Lanka out of misery’s doorstep. Both middle order batters have hit their half centuries, the first in three years for the wicketkeeper in particular.
Dinusha and Dickwella hit their 50-run partnership
Sonak Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella have halted India’s onslaught as the two have steadily rebuilt Sri Lanka’s innings after the hosts lost five wickets within the first season. Dickwella even hit a speedy 50 in the process.
Lunch: Half the Sri Lankan lineup already dismissed
The Indian bowling attack has completely demolished the hosts’ top order with Sri Lanka losing five wickets within the 1st season. They are still one run short of a hundred runs and India is looking for a big lead.
India already has Sri Lanka on the ropes
Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav continue to wreck havoc on the Sri Lankan top order as Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis are both sent back to the dressing room.
India strike on the very first over
Sri Lanka stumbles on the second ball of the innings as Mohammad Siraj quickly dismisses Nishan Madushanka for a duck. The bowler continues to extract bounce from a pitch that isn’t exactly made for it.
India get wrapped up for 462 runs
Asatha Fernando finally gets Prasidh Krishna back to the dressing room wrapping India’s innings at 462 runs.
End of Day 2: India 460/9
India cross the 450-run mark and will now aim to get to 500 runs in the first session of third day.
Jadeja departs as India inching closer to 400 runs
One more Indian wicket falls as Jadeja departs but India are closing towards the 400-run mark.
TEA: India – 364/5
This session belongs to Sri Lanka. Their spinners have stifled the Indians, and Padikkal is the latest to depart. Jadeja has joined Jurel, but both have looked shaky.
Sri Lankan spinners starting to have an impact
The pitch is starting to assist the slow bowlers, and both Pant & Rahul have been dismissed by Keshara. Padikkal & Jurel are in the middle, and they are playing some cautious cricket.
Sri Lanka strike with the new ball
A crucial breakthrough for Sri Lanka as Pant departs for 39. Silva turns to Keshara with the new cherry, and the move pays off instantly. Pant advances down the pitch, the delivery drifts away from him, and once again the wicketkeeper hands his wicket away cheaply.
India batting updates: 288/2
Pant & Padikkal are out in the middle, and India will look to score quickly on a rain-delayed Day 2.
Rain interrupts morning session on Day 2
It has been raining heavily in Galle, and the start of play has been delayed. However, the downpour has finally relented, and there will be an official inspection at 1:40 pm. Play will start at 14:35.
End of Day 1
End of day’s play as Padikkal remains not out on 131. Indian batters dominated the first day of the Test match, which was interrupted twice by rain.
Rain interruption again
Another rain interruption as the players have gone off the pitch. The covers are on.
Century for Padikkal
The RCB gets to his century on the first day. What a return to international cricket.
Start of Session 3, Day 1
KL Rahul limps off the pitch in pain, retired hurt as Gill comes out to bat.
TEA: Sri Lanka toil as Rahul & Padikkal score freely
It has been a tough day out under the sun in Galle for the Lankans. A slice of luck helped them get the first wicket of Jaiswal, but since then it has been one-way traffic. Rahul & Padikkal have played risk-free cricket and yet the runs have continued to flow. Tall order for SL spinners in the third session.
Rahul & Padikkal frustrate SL bowlers
Much was said about Jayasuriya before the Test match, but the spinner has hardly troubled the Indian batters in Galle, his fiefdom. Rahul has been cautious in his approach, whereas Padikkal has stuck to his natural game. Runs have come comfortably from both ends, and Sri Lanka need some individual brilliance to break this partnership.
Rain delay in Galle
The start of the second session has been delayed due to rain. However, the sun is out, and the covers have been taken off. Umpires are out in the middle. Live action to begin at 2 pm.
Rahul & Padikkal bat comfortably
After the horror of Jaiswal’s run-out, Rahul & Padikkal have steadied the Indian innings, and the scoring rate hasn’t dropped. Padikkal is playing fluently while Rahul continues to be cautious. At lunch, the first session is definitely India’s.
Jaiswal run out dampens India mood at Galle
India had a great start to the innings until Jaiswal was run out due to a misunderstanding with KL Rahul. The former was batting fluently, but hard luck. Rahul looked livid as a disappointed Jaiswal trudged towards the dressing room.
Toss: India won the toss and opted to bat.
Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test: Playing XI
India playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill(c), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Sri Lanka playing XI: Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva(c), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando
Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test: Win percentage
| Team | Win probability |
| IND | 82% |
| SRI | 18% |
Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test: Betting odds
India are the favourites to win this match at 1.04 on Dafa, while the odds for Sri Lanka to win are 11.00 at the moment.
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