Overview
- The two-match series between India and Sri Lanka begins in Galle on Saturday, August 15, as part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship.
- Bowling coach Morne Morkel said India may use three left-arm spinners — Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar — and described their differing roles and how captain Shubman Gill might deploy them.
- Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the tour with a knee injury and was replaced in the squad by Auqib Nabi, while Washington Sundar is unavailable for the first Test, leaving India short on experienced seam options.
- India's final XI selection is tightly contested with Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel favoured over late call-up Sarfaraz Khan for batting slots, and a choice between Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain for the third spinner; Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar are both in contention to partner Mohammed Siraj.
- The series will test India’s known vulnerability to quality spin and Galle poses a particular threat because Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya has an exceptional record there, while Shubman Gill can also reach major WTC run milestones if he scores heavily in the two Tests.