The Indian cricket team has successfully concluded its recent assignment in Zimbabwe, wrapping up the tour by lifting the trophy under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. After completely dominating the series against Zimbabwe, the players are currently enjoying a brief break before shifting their focus to the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Fans can now note down the complete schedule for these matches, while an official announcement regarding the travelling squad is expected very soon.
First Test Match Between India and Sri Lanka Starts August 15
The bilateral fixture between India and Sri Lanka will exclusively feature a two-match Test series, meaning no ODI or T20 International matches are scheduled for this leg. The itinerary for the tour was finalized well in advance, with the opening Test set to get underway on August 15. If the match goes the full distance over five days, it will conclude on August 19 at the Galle Stadium. Following this encounter, the second and final Test is scheduled to be played from August 23 to August 27 in Colombo, bringing the series to a close.
Matches Form Part of the ICC World Test Championship
This upcoming series holds immense significance because it falls directly under the umbrella of the ICC World Test Championship. Earlier, India played a standalone Test match against Afghanistan, but since that fixture was outside the WTC cycle, the victory did not yield any championship points or ranking benefits for the side. In contrast, securing wins against Sri Lanka will directly boost India's PCT in the WTC standings. At present, the Indian team occupies the number 5 spot in the points table, while Sri Lanka is positioned right behind them in sixth place.
Shubman Gill Expected to Lead With Squad Announcement Imminent
While the official roster for the tour has not been released yet, expectations strongly point toward Shubman Gill captaining the Test side once again, though the squad is anticipated to feature a somewhat revamped look. Current reports indicate that the selection committee will likely announce the team on either July 28 or July 29. As this is an away tour, the squad will need to travel in advance to acclimatize and complete their necessary preparations ahead of the opening match.
