Schedule and broadcast details for the India vs Sri Lanka two-match test series

The Indian team is preparing for a two-match test series against Sri Lanka, concluding the final stage of training activities. During the second day of the three-day friendly match against the Sri Lankan team (SLC XI), a humorous incident occurred that helped lighten the mood in the Indian camp.

Ravindra Jadeja suddenly started bowling in the manner of spinner Kuldeep Yadav. Seeing this scene, head coach Gautam Gambhir could not contain his laughter. A recorded video of this funny moment showed how Jadeja copied Kuldeep's bowling characteristics, including his characteristic run-up to the ball, slightly exaggerating the action, which caused bursts of laughter in the dressing room.

Kuldeep Yadav is a left-arm wrist spinner, and his bowling technique differs significantly from Ravindra Jadeja's style, who usually uses a very short run-up when left-arm spinning. When Jadeja tried to replicate Kuldeep's bowling, the sight was quite comical. During the friendly match, both players got the opportunity to bowl long spells.

In the match, Jadeja performed successfully, taking two wickets while conceding 64 runs in 15 overs. His victims were Pasindu Suriyabanda and Ramesh Mendis. Kuldeep Yadav, bowling 18 overs, conceded 76 runs and also took two wickets, dismissing Ahana Vikramsinghe and Anjalu Bandara. Besides them, left-arm spinner Manav Sutaran also impressed by taking two wickets while conceding only 33 runs in 13 overs.

The Sri Lankan team declared its first innings with a score of 363 runs, losing 8 wickets. After bowling, Ravindra Jadeja demonstrated usefulness as a batsman. When India lost 4 wickets with a score of 174 runs, Jadeja, along with Manav Sutaran, stabilized the game. He scored 63 runs off 117 balls, using 7 fours, after which he sustained an injury and was forced to leave the field, giving other batsmen a chance to practice.

Devdutt Padikkal became the main star of the Indian batting, scoring a century, thereby strengthening his claim for the number three position in the Gaul Test match. Thanks to Padikkal's century and the contribution of the lower order players, the Indian team scored 357 runs on the second day, losing 6 wickets.

Important changes have been made to the program of the Indian national team traveling to Sri Lanka this month. Initially, a four-day practice match against the local Sri Lankan team was planned, but this match has now been shortened to three days. This practice match will take place from August 7th at the NCC ground in Colombo.

Despite the reduction in the match duration, it remains the only opportunity for Indian players to test themselves in game conditions before the start of the Test series. This practice match is highly significant for the Indian team as Sri Lankan pitches traditionally favor spin bowlers. This will allow batsmen to play long innings and test their technique against spin, while bowlers can finalize their tactical plans.

For the team management, this match is important because the squad for the first Test match may be determined based on its performance. The two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka will run from August 15th to 19th at the Galle International Stadium in Galle. The second and final Test will take place from August 23rd to 27th at the SSC Ground in Colombo. This series is part of not only a bilateral competition but also the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27, making every match and every earned point extremely significant for both teams.

India aims to strengthen its position in the current WTC cycle, while Sri Lanka will try to accumulate crucial points by leveraging the home advantage. Special attention during the three-day practice match will be paid to the performances of the spin bowlers, as well as which player best adapts to Sri Lankan conditions.

There is also encouraging news regarding the health of Sai Sudarshan. His participation in the Test series depended entirely on his physical condition. However, his recovery is now progressing quickly. Left-handed batsman Sai Sudarshan was battling a minor big toe injury (Niggle) and undergoing rehabilitation at the Indian Cricket Council's (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bangalore. According to Cricbuzz, Sudarshan has already resumed batting practice. The team management hopes that he will be fully recovered before traveling to Sri Lanka.

The Indian Test squad for the visit to Sri Lanka includes: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper), Devdutt Padikkal, Sai Sudarshan (subject to fitness clearance), Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Sutara, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Barara, and Saransh Jana.

The schedule for India's visit to Sri Lanka is as follows: August 7-9 — Practice match in Colombo; August 15-19 — First Test in Galle, starting at 10:00 AM; August 23-27 — Second Test in Colombo, starting at 10:00 AM.