Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Sri Lanka aim to end 11-year Test drought against India
Cricket teams from all over the world play in a big competition called the World Test Championship.
Sri Lanka is sixth on the points table, so they really need to win their next matches to have a chance of reaching the big final.
Sri Lanka will play two games against India, a very strong team.
Sri Lanka has not beaten India in a Test match for a very long time, since 2015.
That is a really long time, about 11 years!
Now they are playing at home in Sri Lanka, which might help them.
Two important players, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka, are hurt and cannot play.
So the team is bringing back Niroshan Dickwella, a wicketkeeper who is a good batsman too.
He had some problems before and was banned, but now he is back to help the team.
Everyone is excited to see if Sri Lanka can finally win against India this time.
Sri Lanka have not beaten India in a Test match since 2015, an 11-year drought.
Sri Lanka sit sixth in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings and need points to stay in the race for next year's final.
Injuries have ruled out Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka from Sri Lanka's first-Test squad.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella returns to the squad after last playing in March 2023, following disciplinary issues and a suspension for cocaine use.
The two-Test series is being played at Galle International Stadium in Sri Lanka against an India side described as in transition.
- Who
- The Sri Lanka and India Test cricket teams, including Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva and India's Shubman Gill.
- What
- A two-Test series in which Sri Lanka aim to beat India for the first time since 2015 and boost their World Test Championship chances.
- When
- Ahead of the series beginning on August 14, 2026.
- Where
- Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Sri Lanka need WTC points to remain in the race for next year's final and want to make home conditions count against an Indian side in transition.
- Event
- Two-Test series between Sri Lanka and India
- Teams
- Sri Lanka vs India
- Venue
- Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka's WTC position
- Sixth in World Test Championship standings
- Head-to-head drought
- Sri Lanka have not beaten India in a Test since 2015
- Injuries
- Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka ruled out of the first-Test squad
- Notable recall
- Niroshan Dickwella returns after last playing in March 2023