Archive · 14 Aug 2026
India and Sri Lanka Begin Two-Match Test Series in Galle
The Indian cricket team is going to play two Test matches against Sri Lanka.
Test cricket is a very old and long form of the sport.
The first match will start on 15 August 2026 in the city of Galle.
Galle's stadium will host its 50th Test match, which is a special landmark.
The second match will be played in Colombo, Sri Lanka's capital.
Both teams want to win points in the World Test Championship, a competition where the best teams play each other.
India's captain is Shubman Gill, and Sri Lanka's captain is Dhananjaya de Silva.
Some players are injured and cannot play, including India's star bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Sri Lanka is also missing two of its batters for the first match.
India won the last time they played a Test series in Sri Lanka, back in 2017, and now fans will see who wins this time.
India and Sri Lanka meet in a two-match Test series, with the first Test at Galle International Stadium from 15 August 2026.
Galle will host its 50th Test match, and both teams need a strong start to keep their World Test Championship hopes alive.
India sit fifth in the WTC standings (52 points, PCT 48.15), while Sri Lanka are sixth (20 points, PCT 41.67).
India's Jasprit Bumrah (knee) and Sai Sudharsan (toe) are ruled out, with Sarfaraz Khan replacing Sudharsan.
Sri Lanka will be without Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis for the first Test; Niroshan Dickwella returns for his first Test since March 2023.
- Who
- Shubman Gill's India and Dhananjaya de Silva's Sri Lanka.
- What
- A two-match Test series, including Galle's 50th Test, with World Test Championship points at stake.
- When
- First Test 15-19 August 2026; second Test 23-27 August 2026, both starting at 10:00 AM IST.
- Where
- Galle International Stadium, Galle, and Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo, Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Both teams are aiming to keep their World Test Championship hopes alive, with India seeking to rebound from home-series defeats.
- First Test
- 15-19 August 2026, Galle International Stadium, 10:00 AM IST (toss 9:30 AM IST)
- Second Test
- 23-27 August 2026, Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo, 10:00 AM IST
- India Captain
- Shubman Gill
- Sri Lanka Captain
- Dhananjaya de Silva
- WTC Standings
- India 5th (52 points, PCT 48.15); Sri Lanka 6th (20 points, PCT 41.67)
- Head-to-Head (Tests)
- 46 played - India 22 wins, Sri Lanka 7 wins, 17 draws
- Galle Milestone
- 50th Test at Galle International Stadium
- Key Absentees
- Bumrah (knee) and Sudharsan (toe) for India; Nissanka and Kusal Mendis for Sri Lanka (first Test)
