First Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle: India approaches a big score, Padikkal scores a memorable century

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 Test history of the Indian team in Galle, where the first match between India and Sri Lanka is scheduled, began in 2001, and the last test was played here in 2017. A total of only five Test matches have been held between the two countries during this period. The overall statistics of India's performance at this venue show mixed results.

The first match between India and Sri Lanka in Galle took place on August 14 and concluded on August 17. In this match, which was under the captaincy of Saurav Ganguly, India lost by 10 wickets. The Indian team scored 187 runs in the first innings and was completely bowled out, with Dilhara Fernando taking five wickets. Sri Lanka responded by scoring 362 runs, thanks to the performances of Sanath Jayasuriya (111) and Kumar Sangakkara (105). Although it seemed that the Indian team could counterattack in the second half, the entire Indian team eventually scored 180 runs, and Sri Lanka won the match by only 6 runs in the second half.

The second Test, played in July 2008, resulted in an Indian victory in Galle. Virender Sehwag was the main hero for the Indian team, scoring 201 runs in the first innings and 50 runs in the second, allowing the Indian team to win by a margin of 170 runs. India scored 329 runs in the first innings and 269 in the second, while Sri Lanka managed to score 292 runs. The target for Sri Lanka in the second half was 307 runs, but they could only manage 136.

It is worth noting that in the match where India first achieved a victory in Galle, the Indian team's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, scored 56 runs in the first innings and 74 in the second. Anil Kumble was the captain of the Indian team in that match.

The third Test between the two countries took place in July 2010 and was also held in Galle. Sri Lanka won by 10 wickets. Sri Lanka first scored 520/8 runs in the first innings. The Indian team first scored 276 runs and was completely bowled out, after which they had to bat in the reserve. Then the Indian team scored 338 runs, but Sri Lanka won by scoring 96 runs without losing composure. Lasith Malinga was named player of the match.

In August 2015, the Indian team, under the leadership of Virat Kohli, took the field in Galle for the fourth Test. This match was won by the Sri Lankan team by a margin of 63 runs. Sri Lanka first scored 183 runs, with Ravichandran Ashwin taking 6 wickets. After this, India scored 375 runs thanks to the performances of Shikhar Dhawan (134) and Virat Kohli (103). Sri Lanka scored 367 runs in the second half, with Dinesh Chandimal playing a knock of 162 runs. India needed to score 176 runs, but they could not overcome Rangana Herath, who took 7 wickets in the match. Only Shikhar Dhawan (28) and Ajinkya Rahane (36) managed to score runs in the second half.

The last Test between India and Sri Lanka in Galle ended with an Indian victory by a margin of 304 runs in July 2017, when Virat Kohli was still the captain. India first scored 600 runs in the first innings, thanks to outstanding innings by Shikhar Dhawan (190) and Cheteshwar Pujara (153). Sri Lanka first scored 291 runs. Then India declared the second innings at 240/3. The target for Sri Lanka was 550 runs, but they could only manage 245.

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.