Archive · 14 Aug 2026
Gill Says Leading India in 600th Test Match a 'Big Honour'
Cricket is a very old sport, and India has now played 600 of the most important kind of games, called Test matches.
Only two other countries, England and Australia, have ever played that many.
India's captain, Shubman Gill, says leading his team in this special game is a very big honour.
The game happens on August 15, the same day India celebrates its Independence Day.
India is playing against Sri Lanka at a beautiful stadium in Galle, right next to a beach and an old fort.
This is also the 50th Test match ever played at that stadium.
Both teams are trying to earn points to reach the World Test Championship final.
India needs to win about six or seven more games to have a good chance.
Gill says the team hopes to start that winning run with this series.
He also thinks young players like Devdutt Padikkal should get time to grow and prove themselves.
India plays its 600th Test match, becoming the first Asian team and only the third side after England and Australia to reach the milestone.
Captain Shubman Gill called leading India in the historic Test 'a very big honour,' made more special because the match falls on India's Independence Day, August 15.
The first Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka begins Saturday at Galle International Cricket Stadium, which will host its 50th Test.
India is fifth in the World Test Championship standings with a 48.15 points percentage, while Sri Lanka is sixth with 41.67.
Gill said India needs to win around six or seven more Tests to have a good chance of qualifying for the WTC final, making the series crucial.
With Jasprit Bumrah absent, Gill backed an inexperienced bowling attack to step up and backed Devdutt Padikkal for the No. 3 position, while rejecting reports of a communication gap with the Centre of Excellence over Sai Sudharsan's recovery.
- Who
- India's Test captain Shubman Gill, leading a squad that includes KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja; Sri Lanka is captained by Dhananjaya De Silva.
- What
- India's landmark 600th Test match, the first Test of a two-match series against Sri Lanka and the 50th Test played at Galle.
- When
- Saturday, August 15, India's Independence Day.
- Where
- Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- The match marks a historic milestone for Indian Test cricket and carries crucial World Test Championship points for both India and Sri Lanka.
- Teams
- India vs Sri Lanka (two-match Test series)
- Milestone
- India's 600th Test — first Asian team, third overall after England and Australia
- Venue
- Galle International Cricket Stadium (hosting its 50th Test)
- Date
- August 15, India's Independence Day
- India WTC standing
- 5th with 48.15 points percentage
- Sri Lanka WTC standing
- 6th with 41.67 points percentage
- India captain
- Shubman Gill (26 years old, completing his first year as Test captain)
- India's Test debut
- Against England at Lord's in 1932
