Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Wind key as Gill leads India in 600th Test quest
India's cricket team is getting ready to play Sri Lanka.
They practiced for three days to get used to the pitch.
Shubman Gill is the captain of the team.
This will be India's 600th Test match ever.
India lost their last Test series against South Africa.
They need to win at least six of their next nine matches.
Winning those matches would keep them in the World Test Championship race.
Gill says the wind is very important when playing in Sri Lanka.
Many Indian cricket grounds are closed in, but Sri Lanka's grounds are open.
Some players are injured, so a young player named Manav Suthar might get a chance to play.
India must win at least six of their nine remaining Tests to revive their World Test Championship campaign after a 2-0 loss to South Africa.
Shubman Gill will captain India in their 600th Test, which falls on Independence Day in Galle against Sri Lanka.
India are expected to field three spinners: Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar.
Gill said the strong sea breeze and open grounds in Sri Lanka will play a crucial role, unlike most closed Indian stadiums.
With Nitish Reddy and Washington Sundar injured, Gill is banking on Manav Suthar as an all-rounder and weighing Prasidh Krishna or Gurnoor Brar for the new ball.
- Who
- Shubman Gill, captain of the Indian cricket team, and his squad including Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and Mohammed Siraj.
- What
- India are preparing for the opening Test of a series against Sri Lanka, their 600th Test, aiming to revive their World Test Championship campaign.
- When
- Gill spoke on Friday ahead of the Test, which falls on Independence Day.
- Where
- Galle, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- India need to win at least six of their nine remaining Tests to revive their WTC campaign following the 2-0 loss to South Africa.
- Captain
- Shubman Gill
- Milestone
- India's 600th Test
- Opponent
- Sri Lanka
- Venue
- Galle, Sri Lanka
- WTC requirement
- At least six wins from nine remaining Tests
- Previous series result
- 2-0 loss to South Africa
- Likely spin attack
- Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar
- Injuries
- Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar