India begins Sri Lanka Test series on Aug 15

India Sri Lanka Test series World Test Championship injuries

India will contest a two‑match Test series against Sri Lanka starting on 15 August 2026 in Galle, with the second Test scheduled for 23 August in Colombo. The series is pivotal for India's ICC World Test Championship campaign, where the side currently sits fifth in the standings and needs wins to stay in contention for the final.

The squad, led by captain Shubman Gill, includes KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, and a mix of experienced and uncapped players. Key injuries have forced changes: fast‑bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is out with a left‑knee injury, Washington Sundar is sidelined by a hamstring problem, and Sri Lanka’s wicket‑keeper‑batter Kusal Mendis is expected to miss the opening Test after a hamstring injury. New entrants Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi have been added to the squad.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir has urged the team to be fully prepared for Sri Lanka’s spin‑friendly pitches, stressing thorough preparation and the need to “tick all the boxes.” A three‑day warm‑up match against a Sri Lanka XI will be played at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo from 7–9 August, providing crucial practice ahead of the Tests.

Entities

Gautam Gambhir · India cricket team · India national cricket team · Jasprit Bumrah · Kusal Mendis · MS Dhoni · Rishabh Pant · Saransh Jain · Shubman Gill · Sri Lanka · Sri Lanka national cricket team · Yashasvi Jaiswal

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Sri Lanka wicket‑keeper‑batter Kusal Mendis is likely to miss the first Test due to a hamstring injury. www.cricketage.in
[○ 1 SOURCE] The result of the series could affect Gautam Gambhir's future as India head coach.
[● 3 SOURCES] The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025‑27, with India currently fifth in the standings. www.news18.com · www.newsbytesapp.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Head coach Gautam Gambhir gave special tasks to KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal for spin preparation. www.news18.com · kannada.asianetnews.com · www.newsbytesapp.com
[● 5 SOURCES] India’s squad includes Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant and others, with Jasprit Bumrah and Washington Sundar absent due to injury. www.newsbytesapp.com · khelnow.com · cricfit.com · www.aajtak.in
[● 8 SOURCES] India will play a two‑match Test series against Sri Lanka starting on 15 August 2026 in Galle. www.news18.com · circleofcricket.com · www.newsbytesapp.com · cricfit.com · www.aajtak.in · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi were added to India's squad for the Sri Lanka series. www.newsbytesapp.com · pragativadi.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Shubman Gill suffered a thumb injury during a net session before the warm‑up match. khelnow.com
[● 3 SOURCES] India is currently fifth in the ICC World Test Championship standings. www.news18.com · www.newsbytesapp.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Head coach Gautam Gambhir emphasized thorough preparation and spin readiness ahead of the Sri Lanka tour. www.news18.com · www.newsbytesapp.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Sri Lanka wicket‑keeper‑batter Kusal Mendis is set to miss the first Test due to a hamstring injury. www.cricketage.in · indias.news
[● 4 SOURCES] India will play a three‑day warm‑up match against a Sri Lanka XI at Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo from 7–9 August 2026. www.sportskeeda.com · www.latestly.com · theshillongtimes.com · www.newsbytesapp.com