India captain Shubman Gill was back at the nets on Sunday, offering a positive sign ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

Gill batted with his right ring finger heavily taped after sustaining an impact injury to it during practice earlier in the week.

He also took part in warm-up drills, initially using only his left hand as the medical staff continued monitoring his recovery.

India’s team management has not officially confirmed his availability for the first Test, but his return to batting is being viewed as encouraging.

Gill had missed Day 1 of India’s three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI as a precaution, with vice-captain KL Rahul leading the side.

The opening Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka begins on August 15 at Galle International Stadium, leaving just under a week for his recovery.

Devdutt Padikkal was the standout performer in the warm-up match, finishing unbeaten on 142 in India’s successful run chase after also scoring a century in the first innings.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir has overseen India’s preparation throughout the tour, with the squad using the Colombo fixture specifically to adjust to sub-continental batting and bowling conditions.

Gill sustained the impact injury to his right ring finger during India’s practice session on Thursday, prompting the BCCI to rule him out of Day 1 of the warm-up match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI as a precaution.

The BCCI said in a statement that its medical team was monitoring Gill’s progress, without immediately confirming a timeline for his return to full training or match action.

India completed their three-day warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka XI with a six-wicket win on August 9, with vice-captain KL Rahul leading the side throughout Gill’s absence.

The opening Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka is scheduled to begin on August 15 at Galle International Stadium, giving Gill just under a week for his finger to recover further.

Photo by CRICKETNEXT, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

India beat Sri Lanka XI by six wickets in their three-day warm-up match in Colombo, chasing down a target of 207 to reach 214 for 4 in 45 overs.

Sri Lanka XI set the target after declaring their second innings at 200 for 6, following a first-innings total of 363 for 8 declared.

Devdutt Padikkal starred with an unbeaten 142 in the chase, adding to a century he had already scored in India’s first innings.

Ravindra Jadeja made a useful half-century, while Mohammed Siraj sealed the win with three consecutive sixes as part of an unbeaten 32 off 15 balls.

In Sri Lanka XI’s second innings, Jadeja and Harpreet Brar took two wickets each, with Siraj and Prasidh Krishna claiming one apiece.

The win completes India’s preparation before the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka begins on August 15, 2026, with captain Shubman Gill’s finger injury still under assessment.

The fixture was played at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, a venue India’s squad used specifically to acclimatise to sub-continental batting and bowling conditions ahead of the series.

India’s first innings had ended at 357 for 6, in reply to Sri Lanka XI’s first innings total of 363 for 8 declared, before Sri Lanka XI batted again and declared their second innings at 200 for 6.

Ravindra Jadeja and Harpreet Brar picked up two wickets each in Sri Lanka XI’s second innings, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna claimed one wicket apiece as India worked through the chase target.

Padikkal’s unbeaten 142 came after he had already registered a century in India’s first innings of the match, giving him a prolific outing with the bat across the three-day fixture.

The warm-up win concludes India’s preparation in Colombo before the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka begins on August 15, 2026, with captain Shubman Gill’s finger injury still being assessed by the BCCI medical team.

Photo by Anand Anil, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

India’s Test captain Shubman Gill was absent on day one of a three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo.

Gill suffered an impact injury to his right ring finger in Thursday’s practice session, with vice-captain KL Rahul stepping in to lead the team.

Sri Lanka XI elected to bat first after winning the toss and reached 138 for 1 at lunch, powered by an opening stand between Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha.

India’s line-up included Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, captain KL Rahul, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja.

The warm-up fixture is helping India adjust to sub-continental conditions ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting August 15, 2026.

Gill’s fitness will be reassessed over the coming days to determine his availability for the rest of the practice game and the series opener.

Sri Lanka XI’s openers Nishan Madushka and Ravindu Rasantha made full use of a lack of early movement for India’s pace bowlers on a surface offering little assistance in the opening session.

The two-match Test series against Sri Lanka will be India’s first assignment on the tour, following which the squad’s schedule for the remainder of the year is expected to be finalised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

India’s playing XI for the warm-up fixture featured Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul as captain, Rishabh Pant as wicketkeeper, and Ravindra Jadeja among others.

The warm-up match is being used by India’s squad to acclimatise to sub-continental conditions ahead of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which begins on August 15, 2026.

Gill, who was named India’s Test captain for the tour, is expected to be assessed over the coming days to determine his availability for the remainder of the three-day practice match and the Test series opener.

Photo by CRICKETNEXT, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0