Incident during Galle match: Yashasvi Jaiswal fell after collision with Sri Lankan bowler and was dismissed

The first match of the two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka will take place at the Galle International Stadium. The first day of play is scheduled for today, August 15, with the toss set for 9:30 Indian time, followed by the first ball being bowled at 10:00.

In conditions favorable for spin bowling in Sri Lanka, the Subhman team faces a significant challenge. This Test series holds great importance for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27. Currently, the Indian squad ranks fifth in the WTC table and aims to improve its standing through strong performance.

Historically, 46 Test matches have been played between India and Sri Lanka. During this period, the Indian team has won 22 matches, 17 matches ended in a draw, and Sri Lanka has won only 6 games. More specifically, India has won eight of the last ten encounters against Sri Lanka, with two matches ending in a draw. Sri Lanka's last victory over India was achieved in Galle in 2015, demonstrating India's dominance in Test cricket.

A possible Indian lineup includes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, K.L. Rahul, Devdhad Pattikkal, Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Chatur, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, along with Prasad Krishna or Guruonur Baaraar.

The projected Sri Lankan lineup consists of: Nishan Madushanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamindu Mendis, Danjaney De Silva (captain), Niroshan Dickve (wicketkeeper), Sonal Dinusha, Kesara Nuwanta, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumar, and Vishwa Fernando.

India's full squad includes: Yashasvi Jaiswal, K.L. Rahul (vice-captain), Shubman Gill (captain), Devdhad Pattikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Chatur, Mohammed Siraj, Prasad Krishna, Akib Nabi, Dhruv Jurel, Guruonur Baaraar, and Saranesh Jain.

Sri Lanka's squad includes: Nishan Madushanka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamindu Mendis, Danjaney De Silva (captain), Pasindu Suriyabandara, Niroshan Dickve (wicketkeeper), Ramesh Mendis, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Asita Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumar, Sonal Dinusha, Milan Priyanath Ratnake, and Kesara Nuwanta.

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.

A series of two test matches between India and Sri Lanka is set to begin on August 15. For the Indian team, this tournament holds significant importance as they currently occupy fifth place in the WTC 2025-27 table with only four wins in nine matches.

Previously, these two teams had played a controversial match. The third test match of the series, which took place in 2017 at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium (now Arun Jaitley Stadium), is considered one of the most contentious in cricket history.

The toxic air in Delhi at that time worsened the players' condition. During the game, many Sri Lankan athletes experienced breathing difficulties. Some players played while wearing masks, while fast bowlers Suranga Lakmal and Dhananjaya D. Silva began experiencing vomiting.

The situation was so severe that oxygen tanks were placed in the dressing rooms of both teams to alleviate the athletes' condition. Notably, the Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami also vomited on the field.

Due to the poor air quality, the game had to be suspended, and this incident raised global concerns about pollution in Delhi. Following this test, new discussions arose regarding player safety. The Sri Lankan team management demanded that air quality checks be mandatory before future matches, and medical experts also expressed concern about holding international games under such conditions.

The test match in Delhi yielded no result and ended in a draw. The Indian team, having won the toss, started with an attack, declaring the first innings after scoring 536 runs and losing seven wickets.

Captain Virat Kohli delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 243 runs, while Mori Li Wijey contributed 155 runs. Rohit Sharma also made a significant contribution with 65 runs.

In response, Sri Lanka's first innings totaled 373 runs. Captain Dinesh Chandimal attempted to stabilize the game by scoring 164 runs, and Angelo Mathews scored 111 runs, but the other batsmen could not build a large partnership.

India then declared the second innings after scoring 246 runs, losing five wickets. Shikhar Dhawan scored 67 runs, and Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma each scored 50 runs.

Sri Lanka fought to chase a challenging target of 386 runs despite the poor air and deteriorating player health. Dhananjaya D. Silva played a tenacious innings of 119 runs before being forced off due to injury, and Roshen Silva (74) and Niroshan Dickwella (44) also made significant contributions. Ultimately, thanks to the fight from the Sri Lankan batsmen, the match ended in a draw.