India won the toss and chose to bat first against Sri Lanka in the opening Test of the two-match series at Galle International Stadium on August 15. Led by Shubman Gill, India will become the first Asian team and only the third overall after England and Australia to play 600 Test matches.
Sri Lanka have awarded international debuts to off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha, who received his Test cap. The 25-year-old impressed in the warm-up game by taking the wickets of KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant.For Sri Lanka, Dhananjaya de Silva will captain the side, with Niroshan Dickwella as wicketkeeper. The batting order includes Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka and Dinesh Chandimal, while Kamindu Mendis and Sonal Dinusha provide all-round options. Prabath Jayasuriya will lead the spin attack alongside Nuwantha, and Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando are the pace bowlers.
De Silva stated, “We would have batted first as well. Two fast bowlers, two spinners and two all-rounders. Iconic ground, I am very happy to captain in this match.”
After winning the toss, Indian skipper Gill said, “We are gonna bat first. Looks like a good wicket. Same playing XI that we played in the last match. Looking forward.”
The Indian batting lineup features Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as openers, with Gill, Devdutt Padikkal and Rishabh Pant in the middle order. Ravindra Jadeja and Dhruv Jurel provide additional batting strength. Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar have been included as specialist spinners, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna lead the pace attack.
The playing XIs are as follows:
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill (captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.