India elected to bat first after captain Shubman Gill won the toss in the opening Test against Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium on Saturday.

India’s playing XI features Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Gill as captain, Devdutt Padikkal, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.

Sri Lanka fielded Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, captain Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando.

Gill’s fitness had been a concern after a finger injury during training in Colombo, but he was passed fit to captain the side.

Play commenced at 10:00 am IST, with India looking to capitalise on batting-friendly conditions early in the match.

The Test additionally marks the 50th match to be played at the Galle International Stadium.

Galle International Stadium, set beside the historic Galle Fort on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, is regarded as one of the most picturesque Test venues in world cricket and has traditionally offered assistance to spinners as matches progress.

India’s line-up for the Test includes Dhruv Jurel and Manav Suthar, both part of a young squad being built around Gill’s captaincy as India transitions its Test leadership.

Sri Lanka’s playing XI is led by Dhananjaya de Silva, with wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and spinner Prabath Jayasuriya among the key figures named in the home side’s line-up.

Gill’s finger injury, sustained during a training session in Colombo before the tour’s warm-up match, had put his availability for the Test series in doubt, though he was cleared to lead the side after a gradual return to batting practice.

This is the two-match series opener, with the second and final Test to follow, as Sri Lanka and India resume Test cricket ties in what is a milestone 50th Test staged at the Galle International Stadium.

Photo by Price Zero, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

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