India are dominant against Sri Lanka, regardless of home or away. The result has little value in favour of India, but there is plenty in the run scoring markets.
Key Stats - Gill in Great Test Form
- Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva has scored 120, 33 & 34 in his last 4 knocks.
- Sri Lanka’s Nishan Fernando has scores of 66 & 63* in his last 2 innings.
- Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya has taken 14 wickets in his last 6 innings.
- India’s Shubman Gill has scored 80*, 31, 77* & 44 in his last 4 matches.
- India’s KL Rahul has scored 2 tons in his last 7 Test innings.
- India’s Ravindra Jadeja has taken 2/21, 2/64 & 2/33 in his last 4 innings.
- India have won 3 of their last 4 Tests against Sri Lanka.
India Three Wins in last Five
In the lat five matches against each other in Test Cricket, India lead 3-0 with two draws.
Sri Lanka Missing Key Players
Sri Lanka begin the Galle Test against India with a 16-member squad led by Dhananjaya de Silva, with Kamindu Mendis serving as vice-captain. The hosts will be looking to use familiar conditions to their advantage, but they enter the match with several important selection challenges.
The biggest story in the squad is the return of Niroshan Dickwella, who is back in the Test setup after last playing the format in 2023. His recall gives Sri Lanka experience and flexibility, particularly with the gloves and in the middle order.
Sri Lanka will be without two important batters, with Kusal Mendis ruled out due to a hamstring injury and Pathum Nissanka also unavailable. Their absence leaves the hosts short of established batting options, increasing the responsibility on Dhananjaya, Kamindu Mendis and senior batter Dinesh Chandimal.
Nishan Madushka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha could all have important roles to play as Sri Lanka look to build a competitive batting unit. Sooriyabandara may also be in contention for a Test debut, while Keshara Nuwantha has earned a maiden call-up and adds further intrigue to the squad.
With the ball, Sri Lanka’s main strength should come through spin. Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis are expected to be key weapons on a Galle surface likely to offer turn as the match progresses. Nuwantha could also come into the equation if the hosts want another slow-bowling option.
The pace attack includes Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake and the returning Dilshan Madushanka, who is back in the Test squad after his only previous appearance in 2023.
Sri Lanka’s challenge will be covering their batting absences while making full use of home conditions. If their spinners dominate, they could still put India under serious pressure.
India Batting Depth to Carry them
India head into the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle with a predicted XI shaped strongly by spin-friendly conditions and several injury-enforced changes to the squad.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to open the batting and will be a key figure at the top of the order. The left-hander has been one of India’s most consistent Test performers in recent times, and his ability to handle spin could be crucial on a surface that traditionally assists slow bowlers. KL Rahul is likely to partner him, bringing valuable experience and a reliable technique against both pace and spin.
Devdutt Padikkal is expected to slot in at number three, giving India another left-handed option in the top order. Captain Shubman Gill should bat at number four after recovering from a finger injury suffered during training in Colombo. His leadership and batting form will be central to India’s plans.
Rishabh Pant is expected to keep wicket and bat at number five, offering aggression and the ability to change the tempo of the innings. Ravindra Jadeja’s return adds balance, with his batting depth and left-arm spin likely to be vital in Galle. India could then choose between Saransh Jain and Sarfaraz Khan, depending on whether they want an extra spin-bowling all-rounder or additional batting strength.
With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, Mohammed Siraj is expected to lead the pace attack, possibly alongside left-arm pacer Gurnoor Brar. India’s main threat, however, could come through spin. Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar provide variety, control and wicket-taking potential.
India’s challenge will be finding the right balance without Bumrah, but their batting depth and spin options should make them strong contenders in conditions expected to suit them.
Predicted Lineups & Team news
The ability to handle spin could decide what has the potential to be a tight Galle contest, despite India’s form and Sri Lanka’s recent struggles.
Sri Lanka (possible XI): Nishan Madushka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Niroshan Dickwell, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
India (possible XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Saransh Jain/Sarfaraz Khan, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.