
India’s tour of Sri Lanka 2026 is set to bring another exciting chapter in one of cricket’s most competitive Asian competitions. India will visit Sri Lanka in August and play two Tests in the first series of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
The series will begin in Galle and then move to Colombo for the second and final Test. India will be led by Shubman Gill. They will look to put up a strong performance in the challenging Sri Lankan conditions.
| Series | India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | Test |
| Number of Matches | 2 Tests |
| Start Date | August 15, 2026 |
| End Date | August 27, 2026 |
| Host Country | Sri Lanka |
| India Captain | Shubman Gill |
| India Vice-Captain | KL Rahul |
| 1st Test Venue | Galle International Cricket Stadium |
| 2nd Test Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | August 15–19, 2026 | Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle |
| 2nd Test | August 23–27, 2026 | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
The official schedule confirms that the opening Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium, one of the most spin-friendly venues in world cricket. The second Test will take place at the SSC Ground in Colombo. This historic venue known for producing competitive Test matches.
India have announced a 15-member squad for the two-Test series. Shubman Gill will lead the side, while KL Rahul has been named vice-captain.
India Test Squad:
Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal and Saransh Jain.
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Sri Lanka’s squad for the two-match Test series was yet to be officially announced at the time of writing. The hosts are expected to name a balanced squad featuring experienced batters, specialist spinners and pace bowlers suited to home conditions. This section will be updated once Sri Lanka Cricket confirms the official squad.
India’s 2026 tour of Sri Lanka will be the first major Test mission under Shubman Gill. The series will also be crucial for India’s World Test Championship campaign, with each match coming with valuable points.
India’s team selection shows that the team management is preparing for spin-friendly conditions. The return of Ravindra Jadeja adds experience and balance. While, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and debutant Saransh Jain provide additional spin options.
Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness will also be closely monitored. If available, his pace and experience could strengthen India’s attack, especially on surfaces that can offer reverse swing as the match progresses.
Sri Lanka traditionally perform well at home. Especially on pitches that offer turn and variable bounce. Galle is likely to provide a major challenge for India’s batters, while the SSC in Colombo could offer a more balanced contest between bat and ball.
India will rely on players such as Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant to provide runs. Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav could play key roles with the ball. The series may also provide opportunities for younger players. It will include Sai Sudharsan, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar and Saransh Jain, depending on team selection and match conditions.
Fans can follow the latest India vs Sri Lanka 2026 news scorecards on Cricbites. With two important Tests scheduled in Galle and Colombo, the India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 promises a fascinating battle between India’s squad and Sri Lanka’s strong home advantage.
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