Three players from the 2017 squad remain in the Indian national team after nine years

The first day of the three-day friendly match between India and Sri Lanka, taking place in Colombo, concluded with the batsmen of the Sri Lankan team putting Indian bowlers through a serious test.

Choosing to bat first, the Sri Lankan team scored 363 runs, losing eight wickets in 90 overs. Both starting batsmen for Sri Lanka scored half-centuries: Nishan Madushanka made 66 runs, and Ravindu Rasanta scored 71 runs. Sri Lanka's captain, Sonal Dinusha, also contributed, scoring 52 runs before being dismissed.

At the beginning of the game, the Indian bowlers had to wait a long time for a chance to take a wicket, and the home side demonstrated a strong start. The Indian team waited for 110 runs to take the first wicket.

Despite this, in the second and third sessions, the Indian team managed to regain its position. Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Chatur, Gurnoor Brar, and Kuldeep Yadav helped restrict Sri Lanka's pace by taking important wickets. These three bowlers took two wickets each. Among the fast bowlers, only Gurnoor Brar managed to take one wicket. Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Saransh Jain failed to achieve any success.

Nevertheless, the Sri Lankan team managed to build a strong position by the end of the day, maintaining a run rate of 4.03 per over. During this match, Ravindra Jadeja, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Saransh Jain, and Kuldeep Yadav proved expensive for the team, as all of them allowed the opponent to score at an economy rate above four.

Captain Shubman Gill did not take the field on the first day due to a finger injury, while KEL Rahul took charge of the team. This match is considered an important opportunity for players to test their form ahead of the upcoming Test series, which starts on August 15.

Ahead of the two-match series of test matches between India and Sri Lanka, starting on August 15th, the Sri Lankan team has faced significant difficulties due to injuries to two key players.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis will be unable to participate in both matches of the series. Additionally, opening batsman Pathum Nissanka will miss the first Test. It is currently unclear whether Nissanka will be able to return for the second Test.

The first match is scheduled to be held in Galle, while the second will take place on August 23rd at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo. The injuries to these two star batsmen before the tournament have significantly complicated the task for Sri Lankan selectors in assembling the squad.

Kusal Mendis's problem arose during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026. On July 19th, during a match between Colombo Caps and Candy Royals at the SSC, he sustained a hamstring injury to his right leg. Following this, Mendis underwent rehabilitation. Although the Sri Lankan team had hopes for his full recovery by the series against India, the recovery did not meet expectations, and it is now evident that he will not be able to play in either of the two Tests. His absence will require Sri Lanka to make mid-squad changes and find a new wicketkeeper.

Pathum Nissanka's injury has also disrupted Sri Lanka's plans regarding the top order. He has been excluded from the first Test. The severity of his injury or the exact date of his return has not yet been determined. Sri Lanka will aim for Nissanka to recover in time for the second Test, which begins on August 23rd. The medical team will monitor his recovery, and the decision regarding his further participation will be based on this.

The pitch in Galle is traditionally favorable for spinners, so Sri Lanka required a strong top and middle order capable of countering Indian spinners. The absence of two important batsmen increases the burden on the remaining players. India has experienced spin options such as Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, as well as Manav Chatur and Saransh Jain. In the Indian team, Mohammed Siraj is expected to take on a larger role in the fast pace of the game in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.

Fitness issues are not limited to Sri Lanka. India's captain Shubman Gill suffered a ring finger injury in his right hand during training. As a precaution, he did not take the field on the first day of the friendly match against Sri Lanka, and Kel Rule took over the team leadership. The BCCI medical team is monitoring Shubman's recovery, and India expects its captain to be fully fit by the start of the series.

Before the start of the two-match test series between India and Sri Lanka, which begins on August 15, the Indian team will play a three-day friendly match against the local side Eleven on Friday, August 7. This match will take place at the Non-Descript Cricket Club (NCC) ground in Colombo and is considered extremely important for the Indian players as it will give them an opportunity to finalize their preparation for the conditions in Lanka and playing against spin bowling.

Prior to this match, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) published a video in which Gautam Gambhir emphasized the need for complete readiness for everything ahead of the Test matches starting on August 15. In this video, Gambhir welcomed Saransh Jain and Akib Nabi to the squad. He highlighted Nabi's outstanding performance, which contributed to the Jammu and Kashmir team winning the Ranji championship.

Furthermore, Gambhir greeted the new field coach Shubdeep Ghosh, addressing him as 'Joy'. He mentioned that Ghosh has experience working with various teams. In the video, he urged the players to be ready to answer any question, regardless of whether the team attacks or defends in the first Test on August 15, and strongly recommended working on all necessary aspects during training.

Recent home games against South Africa and New Zealand showed that Indian batsmen faced significant difficulties against spin bowling. Therefore, this practice match against Sri Lanka's experienced spin attack will be a serious test for the Indian team. Captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and Yashasvi Jaiswal have already been practicing against spin bowling at their training centers before traveling to Sri Lanka, but playing on Lankan pitches presents a completely different challenge.

Only three players in the current squad have experience participating in Test matches in Sri Lanka: KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav. India last held a Test series in Sri Lanka in 2017. Jasprit Bumrah is not participating in this tour due to injury, so Mohammed Siraj will take responsibility for fast bowling. He will be accompanied by Prasidh Krishna, Gunnor Barar, Manav Chatur, and Saransh Jain. Excluding Siraj and Kuldeep, the rest of the attacking unit is relatively inexperienced.

Earlier, Gunnor Barar and Saransh Jain demonstrated impressive performances for the India A team against Sri Lanka A in Galle last month and hope to maintain their form in this practice match. However, the weather might hinder the preparation of the Indian team. According to the meteorological department's forecast, short rains are expected in Colombo from Friday, which could affect the three-day practice match.