Sri Lankan soil has always been known for its unique challenges for the Indian Test team. After a wait of nine years, the Indian team is once again playing a Test series on Sri Lankan soil. This two-Test bilateral series, starting from 15 August 2026, is not just a match for India, but a tough test for a new generation of young players. This is the ninth time that India will play a bilateral Test series in Sri Lanka.
India Vs Sri Lanka Looking at the history of the game, the Indian team has played a total of 24 Test matches in Sri Lanka over a period of 32 years from 1985 to 2017. Of these, India has won nine, lost seven and drawn eight. However, India has been dominant in the last few years, winning all their last five Test matches on Sri Lankan soil.
The situation is challenging.
This time, the situation is a little different and more challenging. Of the 15-member Indian team, 12 players will be playing a Test match in Sri Lanka for the first time. This includes big names like captain Shubman Gill, fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj. These experienced players may have hoisted the tricolour in other parts of the world, but their experience of playing with the red ball on Sri Lanka’s spin-friendly pitches will be tested for the first time.
The first tour of 1985 and the initial obstacles
India toured Sri Lanka for the first time in 1985 under the leadership of Kapil Dev. The tour was not an easy one. The first Test match played at the SSC ground in Colombo on 30 August 1985 ended in a draw. Then, on 6 September 1985, Sri Lanka defeated India by 149 runs at the PSS ground. The final match of the series in Kandy on 14 September ended in a draw and India lost the series.
The struggle and first victory in the 1990s
India made their return to Sri Lanka in 1993. After a draw in the first match at Kandy, India recorded their first Test victory on Sri Lankan soil, defeating the hosts by 235 runs at Colombo (SSC) on 27 July 1993. However, the third Test match played at Colombo (PSS) on 4 August ended in a draw. The subsequent matches at RPS and SSC in 1997 also ended in a draw.
1999 Asian Championship and 2001 Joint Tour
The Asian Test Championship match played at the SSC on 24 February 1999 also ended in a draw. Then, in 2001, under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly, India suffered a humiliating defeat by 10 wickets at Galle on 14 August. Although India bounced back with a 7-wicket win at Kandy on 22 August, Sri Lanka defeated India by an innings and 77 runs at the SSC on 29 August.
The Mystery Spin Challenge of 2008 and the Thrill of 2010
The 2008 tour brought back bitter memories for Indian fans, as India lost by an innings and 239 runs to Ajantha Mendis’ mystery spin at SSC on 23 July. India bounced back with a 170-run win at Galle on 31 July, but lost the series by 8 wickets at PSS on 8 August. 2010 was also a challenging year. India lost by 10 wickets at Galle on 18 July, the match at SSC ended in a draw on 26 July and then a thrilling 5-wicket win at PSS on 3 August to level the series 1-1.
The turning point of 2015
The 2015 tour of Sri Lanka is considered one of the most important milestones in Indian cricket history. On 12 August 2015, Virat Kohli-led India suffered a humiliating 63-run defeat in the Galle Test. This was India’s last Test defeat on Sri Lankan soil. The Indian team never looked back after that defeat. During the same tour, India defeated Sri Lanka by 278 runs at PSS on 20 August and by 117 runs at SSC on 28 August to clinch a historic 2-1 series win.
The dominance of 2017
India completely thrashed Sri Lanka in 2017. India won the series 3–0 with resounding victories at Galle on 26 July 2017 by 304 runs, at SSC on 3 August by an innings and 53 runs, and at Pallekele on 12 August by an innings and 171 runs.
Old achievements and new challenges
Looking at the series results, India failed in all four series in 1985, 1993, 2001 and 2008, while the 2010 series ended in a 1-1 draw. However, India has proven its dominance by winning the last two series in 2015 (2-1) and 2017 (3-0).
The big responsibility of the 2026 tour
Now in 2026, when the Indian team plays a Test series in Sri Lanka after nine years, they will have a huge responsibility to continue the winning streak of the last five Test matches. The responsibility of carrying forward this strong tradition of history lies on the shoulders of 12 new players and young captain Shubman Gill.