GALLE, Sri Lanka — India vs Sri Lanka Test: India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka in Galle, with the visitors making one change to their playing XI after B Sai Sudharsan was ruled out injured. Devdutt Padikkal comes into the side at No. 3, while Sri Lanka handed a Test debut to 25-year-old offspinner Keshara Nuwantha.
- Key Highlights: India chose to bat first after winning the toss in Galle.
- Devdutt Padikkal replaces the injured B Sai Sudharsan in India’s XI.
- Keshara Nuwantha makes his Test debut for Sri Lanka ahead of Ramesh Mendis.
- The match marks India’s 600th Test and the 50th Test played at Galle.
India opt to bat first on Galle surface
Shubman Gill secured only his third toss victory in nine Tests as India’s captain and opted to put runs on the board. The Galle pitch carried an even layer of grass without visible dry patches, offering the prospect of some early assistance for seam bowling before conditions become more favourable for batting.
The surface was expected to provide some movement as the moisture disappeared, but the assessment was that it could subsequently become easier for batters. India’s decision therefore puts the top order in a position to negotiate the early phase before looking to build a substantial first-innings total.
Devdutt Padikkal replaces injured Sai Sudharsan
India made one alteration to the side, bringing in left-hand batter Devdutt Padikkal at No. 3 in place of the injured B Sai Sudharsan. The remainder of the Indian combination follows the expected pattern, with three left-arm spin options and two specialist fast bowlers.
Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav form the trio of left-arm spin choices, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna provide the pace attack. The combination gives India multiple options as the match progresses and the Galle surface changes.
Sri Lanka hand Keshara Nuwantha Test debut
Sri Lanka’s most notable selection decision was the inclusion of Keshara Nuwantha ahead of Ramesh Mendis. The 25-year-old offspinner receives his first Test cap, adding a different spin option to the home side’s bowling resources.
Nishan Madushka also comes into the XI to replace the injured Pathum Nissanka at the top of the order. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella returns to Test cricket after an absence of three years.
Captain Dhananjaya de Silva leads a Sri Lankan XI that also includes Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara.
India’s 600th Test adds another milestone
The contest carries additional significance beyond the immediate series result. It is the 50th Test to be played at Galle, while India are appearing in their 600th Test match in the longest format.
Both teams are positioned in the middle of the World Test Championship table and require a 2-0 series sweep to retain a realistic pathway towards the final. That makes the opening Test particularly important as both sides begin their campaign with a clear need for maximum results across the series.
India vs Sri Lanka playing XIs
India
KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (capt), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Sri Lanka
Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara.
What to watch as the Test begins
India’s opening challenge will be to make the most of their decision to bat while the pitch still offers some assistance to the bowlers. The visitors will also be looking for stability from their reshaped top order following Sudharsan’s absence.
For Sri Lanka, Nuwantha’s debut adds an immediate point of interest, particularly once the surface begins to offer greater assistance to spin. The home side will also rely on its revised opening combination after Nissanka’s injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did India choose to bat first?
India opted to bat after winning the toss because the Galle surface was expected to become easier for batting after the initial moisture dried, despite offering some early seam movement.
Who is making his Test debut for Sri Lanka?
Twenty-five-year-old offspinner Keshara Nuwantha is making his Test debut for Sri Lanka after being selected ahead of Ramesh Mendis.
Match outlook
The opening Test begins with both teams carrying significant World Test Championship ambitions. India’s 600th Test and Galle’s 50th Test provide a historic backdrop, while the selection changes on both sides create fresh tactical questions from the first session itself.
Source attribution: Match information, toss details, playing XIs, pitch assessment and team changes are based solely on the supplied match report.
