India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 Test Series – Schedule, Squads, Timings, Venues & Live Streaming
India and Sri Lanka renew one of Asian cricket’s most familiar rivalries in a two-Test series beginning on 15 August 2026. The contests in Galle and Colombo form part of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship, so every result—and every point—will matter beyond the series trophy.
Shubman Gill leads India, with KL Rahul named vice-captain, while Dhananjaya de Silva captains the hosts. Both teams have had to adjust their plans because of injuries. India will be without Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan, while Sri Lanka enter the opening Test without Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka.
Here is the complete, updated guide to the India tour of Sri Lanka 2026 Test series, including the schedule, match timings, venues, squads, injury replacements, viewing options and players to watch.
Latest update: This article was fact-checked on 14 August 2026. Sri Lanka have announced a 16-player squad for the first Test only; their second-Test squad may change.
India vs Sri Lanka 2026 Test Series at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Series | India tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| Format | Two Test matches |
| Dates | 15–27 August 2026 |
| Hosts | Sri Lanka |
| India captain | Shubman Gill |
| India vice-captain | KL Rahul |
| Sri Lanka captain | Dhananjaya de Silva |
| Sri Lanka vice-captain | Kamindu Mendis |
| Venues | Galle International Cricket Stadium and Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo |
| Match start | 10:00 AM IST / 10:00 AM SLST |
| Championship | ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 |
| India TV broadcast | Sony Sports Network |
| India live streaming | Sony LIV |
| Stadium admission | Free public admission announced by Sri Lanka Cricket |
India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 Test Schedule and Match Timings
| Match | Dates | Venue | Start time |
| 1st Test | 15–19 August 2026 | Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle | 10:00 AM IST / SLST |
| 2nd Test | 23–27 August 2026 | Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo | 10:00 AM IST / SLST |
Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed the dates and grounds for both Tests. The board has also announced free public admission for the series, giving local and travelling supporters an opportunity to watch without buying a match ticket. Entry arrangements and permitted items can still be subject to venue security rules, so spectators should check Sri Lanka Cricket’s official channels before travelling.
Official Schedule: Sri Lanka Cricket
Free-Admission Notice: Sri Lanka Cricket
1st Test: Galle International Cricket Stadium
The series begins at the picturesque Galle International Cricket Stadium from 15 to 19 August. The ground sits close to the historic Galle Fort, but its postcard setting should not distract from its reputation as one of Test cricket’s sternest examinations of spin technique.
Galle pitches often offer more turn and variable bounce as a match develops. Batters who score while the surface is relatively fresh can put their teams in control, while footwork, patience and decisive use of the crease become increasingly important against spin. The toss may be influential, although overhead conditions can also bring the seamers into the game with the new ball.
Sri Lanka will look to left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya and off-spinning all-rounder Ramesh Mendis to exploit familiar conditions. India can respond with Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, with Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain providing further spin options.
India’s record at Galle is competitive but challenging: the teams have played five Tests against each other at the venue, with India winning two and Sri Lanka winning three. India’s most recent Test there was the 304-run victory in 2017, remembered for Shikhar Dhawan’s 190 in the first innings.
2nd Test: Singhalese Sports Club, Colombo
The second Test will be played at the Singhalese Sports Club, commonly known as the SSC, from 23 to 27 August. One of Sri Lanka’s most historic grounds, the SSC has traditionally offered better early batting conditions than Galle, although the pitch can slow down and bring the spinners into the contest later.
The extra break between Tests gives both teams time to travel, recover and reconsider their combinations. Sri Lanka have announced their squad only for the opener, so their selection for Colombo could depend on player fitness and the balance they want at the SSC. For India, the choice between an additional fast bowler, a batting all-rounder and a third specialist spinner could be shaped by the pitch presented for the match.
India Squad for Sri Lanka Test Series 2026
Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan
India’s squad combines an established batting core with several players seeking to secure a longer run in the Test side. Gill, Rahul, Jaiswal and Pant form the backbone, while Sarfaraz Khan and Devdutt Padikkal strengthen the middle-order options.
The attack will be led by Mohammed Siraj in Bumrah’s absence. Prasidh Krishna offers pace and bounce, Gurnoor Brar adds another fast-bowling option, and maiden call-up Auqib Nabi arrives after an outstanding domestic run. Jadeja and Kuldeep are the leading spin choices, supported by Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain.
India’s Injury Replacements
- Jasprit Bumrah is out of the series. The BCCI said the fast bowler had not fully recovered from the left-knee injury he suffered during the ODI series against England. Auqib Nabi was selected as his replacement and received his first senior national-team call-up. BCCI Update
- Sai Sudharsan is also out. The left-handed batter was ruled out with a stress reaction in his right toe. Sarfaraz Khan replaced him in the squad. BCCI Update
These absences remove one of India’s premier fast bowlers and a top-order option. They also create opportunities: Siraj can assume greater responsibility with the new ball, Nabi has a chance to translate his domestic success to the international level, and Sarfaraz gives India an aggressive middle-order alternative.
Sri Lanka Squad for the First Test
Dhananjaya De Silva – C, Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis – VC, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella – WK, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka
Sri Lanka’s 16-player group is for the Galle Test. The batting unit includes the experience of Dinesh Chandimal and captain Dhananjaya de Silva alongside Kamindu Mendis, who has developed into a major middle-order player. Niroshan Dickwella returns as the wicketkeeping option.
Prabath Jayasuriya will be central to the home side’s plans in Galle, with Ramesh Mendis offering another spin threat and lower-order batting. Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka and Milan Rathnayake give Sri Lanka a varied group of fast bowlers.
Sri Lanka Cricket named the squad on 12 August, confirming that it applies to the first Test. Supporters should therefore treat any projected squad for the second Test as provisional until an official announcement is made. Official Sri Lanka Squad Announcement
Sri Lanka Availability Update
Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are unavailable for the first Test, leaving the hosts without two senior batting options. Their absences increase the importance of Chandimal, Dhananjaya and Kamindu, while also opening the door for less-established batters to make an impact.
Probable Playing XIs for the First Test
The final XIs will be confirmed only at the toss. Conditions in Galle and the balance each captain prefers could produce late changes.
India probable XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill (c), Sarfaraz Khan/Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar/Saransh Jain, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Auqib Nabi/Gurnoor Brar.
Sri Lanka probable XI: Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara/Vishwa Fernando.
India must decide whether to strengthen the batting with Padikkal or play an additional bowler. The likely assistance for spin makes Jadeja and Kuldeep strong selections, but the third spinner versus third seamer decision may depend on the surface and weather on match morning.
Why the Series Matters in the World Test Championship
Both matches award points in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle. A two-Test series has little room for recovery: one poor session can shape a match, and one defeat can make winning the series impossible.
India entered the series placed above Sri Lanka in the WTC table, but neither team was occupying a top-two position. That raises the value of a strong result. A 2–0 win would provide a meaningful lift to the winner’s points percentage; a shared series would limit the damage but leave both sides with more work to do later in the cycle.
Slow over-rate penalties can also reduce WTC points, so captains must manage their attacks efficiently as well as pursue 20 wickets.
India vs Sri Lanka Test Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Record before the 2026 series |
| Tests played | 46 |
| India wins | 22 |
| Sri Lanka wins | 7 |
| Draws | 17 |
| Tests played in Sri Lanka | 24 |
| India wins in Sri Lanka | 9 |
| Sri Lanka wins at home | 7 |
| Draws in Sri Lanka | 8 |
India have the stronger overall head-to-head record, but Tests in Sri Lanka have historically been more evenly contested. The hosts understand how to build pressure with spin on wearing pitches, while India have repeatedly shown that their batters and slow bowlers can succeed in similar conditions.
India won their previous Test series in Sri Lanka 3–0 in 2017. That result provides useful historical context, but the personnel and World Test Championship stakes are very different nine years later.
Key Players to Watch
Shubman Gill
Gill’s role goes beyond run-scoring. He must set the tempo as captain, manage a Bumrah-less attack and make difficult selection calls in conditions that can change rapidly. His ability to convert a start into a substantial first-innings score could be decisive.
KL Rahul
Rahul’s experience and technique make him an important stabiliser at the top. As vice-captain, he also gives Gill a senior tactical voice. Leaving the ball well against the seamers and rotating strike once spin is introduced will be central to his task.
Rishabh Pant
Pant can change a Test in a single session. His attacking game against spin may prevent Sri Lanka from settling into defensive fields, while his wicketkeeping will be tested by turn and uneven bounce.
Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav
India’s leading spinners offer contrasting methods. Jadeja attacks the stumps with speed and accuracy; Kuldeep brings drift, dip and wrist-spin variation. Together, they can challenge both edges of the bat and create pressure even on a comparatively good surface.
Kamindu Mendis
Kamindu has become a key component of Sri Lanka’s middle order. With two senior batters missing from the opener, his ability to construct long innings and counter India’s spinners carries even more weight.
Prabath Jayasuriya
Few bowlers understand Galle better than Jayasuriya. His control, changes of pace and ability to attack right-handed batters from over and around the wicket make him a major threat, particularly in the second innings.
Auqib Nabi
Nabi is the new face in India’s squad. The Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler earned his call-up after taking 104 wickets across the previous two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 in the 2025–26 campaign. Whether he debuts or not, his selection adds a compelling domestic-cricket success story to the tour.
Tactical Battles That Could Decide the Series
India’s Top Order vs Sri Lanka’s New Ball
The first hour can be deceptive in Sri Lanka. Spin is the headline threat, but movement for Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara or Vishwa Fernando could expose the middle order early. India will want a stable opening partnership before the surface begins to deteriorate.
India’s Right-Handers vs Prabath Jayasuriya
Jayasuriya can create rough outside the right-hander’s off stump and attack the pads when batters become static. Sweeps, decisive footwork and regular strike rotation will be important; simply defending for long periods can allow close catchers to crowd the bat.
Sri Lanka’s Middle Order vs Jadeja and Kuldeep
With Mendis and Nissanka missing the first Test, Sri Lanka’s middle order may have to absorb sustained spin pressure. Jadeja’s pace through the air and Kuldeep’s variations make settling at the crease difficult, especially if India post a large first-innings total.
Life Without Bumrah
India’s fast bowlers must share responsibilities normally carried by Bumrah: taking early wickets, breaking partnerships with an older ball and containing runs when the pitch offers little. Siraj’s leadership and the support provided by Prasidh and the newer quicks will be a major series theme.
India vs Sri Lanka 2026 Live Telecast and Streaming in India
The Test series is scheduled to be broadcast in India on the Sony Sports Network. Live streaming is available through Sony LIV, subject to the platform’s subscription requirements and regional availability.
Coverage is expected to begin before the scheduled 10:00 AM IST start. Channel allocation and language feeds can change, so viewers should confirm the latest listing in the Sony LIV app or their television programme guide on match day.
Outside India, broadcast partners vary by country. Fans should use their local rights-holder’s schedule rather than assuming that the Indian feed will be available internationally.
Travel Note for Spectators
Sri Lanka Cricket’s free-admission announcement makes this an attractive series for travelling supporters. Galle is on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, while the SSC is in Colombo, so fans attending both Tests should plan intercity transport and accommodation in advance.
August weather can be unsettled. Carry suitable rain protection, allow extra travel time and check the forecast and venue notices before leaving. Free admission does not necessarily guarantee a particular seat or unrestricted entry once capacity and security requirements are considered.
Series Prediction
India start with the deeper batting line-up and a strong group of spinners, but Bumrah’s absence narrows the gap. Sri Lanka’s familiarity with Galle and Jayasuriya’s threat make the opening Test especially dangerous for the visitors.
The first-innings totals may decide both matches. If India’s top order handles the new ball and reaches a position from which Pant and Jadeja can attack, the visitors should be difficult to stop. If Sri Lanka dismiss the openers early and bring Jayasuriya into the game against new batters, the home side can control the pace of the contest.
India may begin as slight favourites on overall depth, but a 1–1 result is entirely plausible in a short series where conditions can magnify one bad batting session.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the India tour of Sri Lanka 2026 Test series begin?
The first Test begins on 15 August 2026 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
How many Test matches will India play in Sri Lanka in 2026?
India will play two Tests: one in Galle and one at the Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
What time do India vs Sri Lanka Test matches start?
Both Tests are scheduled to start at 10:00 AM IST, which is also 10:00 AM local time in Sri Lanka.
Are the Tests part of the World Test Championship?
Yes. Both matches are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
Who is captaining India in the Sri Lanka Test series?
Shubman Gill is India’s captain, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain.
Who is Sri Lanka’s captain?
Dhananjaya de Silva captains Sri Lanka. Kamindu Mendis is the vice-captain in the squad announced for the first Test.
Why is Jasprit Bumrah not playing?
The BCCI said Bumrah had not fully recovered from a left-knee injury suffered during the ODI series against England. Auqib Nabi replaced him in the squad.
Who replaced Sai Sudharsan?
Sarfaraz Khan replaced Sai Sudharsan after the batter was ruled out with a stress reaction in his right toe.
Where can fans watch the series in India?
The Tests are scheduled for live television coverage on the Sony Sports Network and streaming on Sony LIV. Subscription and regional restrictions may apply.
Is stadium entry free?
Sri Lanka Cricket has announced free public admission for both Tests. Fans should still check official venue instructions before travelling.
Final Word
The India tour of Sri Lanka 2026 Test series offers two contrasting venues, valuable World Test Championship points and several selection stories. Galle will place technique against spin under immediate scrutiny, while the SSC could reward the team that adapts more quickly as the pitch ages.
With Gill leading a reshaped Indian attack and Dhananjaya trying to overcome key batting absences, the series should be more competitive than the overall head-to-head numbers suggest. The action starts at 10:00 AM IST on 15 August in Galle, before moving to Colombo for the second Test on 23 August.
Schedule, squads and broadcast details can change. Check the BCCI, Sri Lanka Cricket and the official broadcaster for late updates before publication or match day.
