Following the conclusion of white-ball cricket commitments, the Indian national cricket team is preparing to resume red-ball duties in international cricket. Under the leadership of captain Shubman Gill, team India will travel to Sri Lanka in August 2026 for a two-match Test series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced a 15-player squad for the upcoming tour. Experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja makes his return to the Test lineup, alongside the inclusion of several promising new faces.
Series Schedule: Independence Day Opener in Galle and Colombo Finale
The Test series between the two Asian nations will kick off with the opening match on August 15, 2026, at the Galle International Stadium, scheduled to start at 10:00 AM IST. As India celebrates its Independence Day, the team will aim to start the tour with a victory on foreign soil. The second and final Test match of the series will commence on August 23, 2026, at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo. Matching the first game, the final Test will also begin at 10:00 AM IST and will serve as the series decider.
BCCI's 15-Member Indian Squad Breakdown
Indian selectors have assembled a balanced 15-man squad capable of mastering Sri Lankan pitch conditions. Shubman Gill will captain the side, with KL Rahul appointed as vice-captain. The complete squad composition is detailed below
- Batters and All-Rounders: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja.
- Wicketkeepers: Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel.
- Spinners: Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain.
- Fast Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar.
Return to Sri Lanka After 9 Years and Head-to-Head History
This tour marks India's first Test series appearance in Sri Lanka since 2017. During their last visit in 2017, India achieved a clean sweep victory over the hosts, a feat that Shubman Gill and company will look to replicate. Historically, India has contested 8 Test series on Sri Lankan soil, resulting in 3 series victories, 3 losses, and 2 drawn series. Over their last three visits to the island nation, India drew in 2010 before securing series wins in 2015 and 2017. The most recent Test clash between the two countries occurred during the 2021/22 season in India, where the home team emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline.
World Test Championship Standings Context
Both fixtures carry vital points for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings. India currently occupies 5th position in the WTC standings, having played 9 Test matches with a record of 4 wins, 4 losses, and 1 draw, accumulating a points percentage (PTC) of 48.15. Sri Lanka holds 6th place in the WTC table, having played 4 Test matches with 1 victory, 1 defeat, and 2 draws, translating to a PTC of 41.67. Both teams will be eager to claim maximum points in Galle and Colombo to enhance their qualification prospects.
