Two Test matches between India and Sri Lanka will take place starting on August 15. The Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle will host the first Test, while the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo will host the second Test starting on August 23.
For both sides, this series is crucial. With four wins and four losses from nine Test matches and a win percentage of 48.15, India is ranked fifth, while Sri Lanka is ranked sixth with one win and one defeat from four Test matches and a win percentage of 41.67. To advance to the WTC 2027 final, India must win each of their remaining test matches.
Here are 5 Indian players to watch out for in the SL vs. IND Test series:
5. KL Rahul
KL Rahul’s first real test after being named India vice-captain in Test cricket will be the Sri Lanka series. He has done well with 268 runs in 5 Tests in Sri Lanka with one century and 2 fifties at an average of 33.50. KL Rahul’s batting will be essential for India, as spin-friendly pitches will be a huge challenge for India, given their previous performances on similar pitches at home against New Zealand and South Africa.
4. Yashasvi Jaiswal
Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal will play his first Test against Sri Lanka and in Sri Lanka. Jaiswal has a good record with 2535 runs in 29 tests with 7 centuries and 13 fifties at an average of 48.75 and a best score of 214*. Jaiswal’s technique will be tested by Sri Lanka spinners on pitches supporting slow bowlers. Jaiswal is aggressive in nature and is likely to try and dominate the bowlers by taking them head-on.
3. Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill, the Indian captain, will also play his first Test in Sri Lanka and will try to lead from the front. He has experience playing on slow surfaces, as he has played two Tests in Bangladesh and has even scored a century. Sri Lanka will throw all the spinners they have at him, and the Indian captain will also be tasked with making the perfect plan against the Sri Lankan batters.
2. Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav will be one of the spinners to look forward to during the two-Test series. With R. Ashwin retired, many expected Kuldeep Yadav to play many more Tests, but it has not happened, as the Indian team has included Washington Sundar as the second spinner to lengthen the batting lineup. Kuldeep Yadav will be a real challenge for Sri Lankan batters who have not played him in red-ball cricket, and it is a chance for him to solidify his spot in the team.
1. Mohammed Siraj
With Jasprit Bumrah injured and out of Sri Lanka Tests, Mohammed Siraj will be the lead pacer for India. Sri Lanka is a tough place for pacers to bowl, and despite playing 46 Tests, Siraj will play against Sri Lanka for the first time. He has been a nemesis for Sri Lanka in white-ball formats, and expect the same in tests. Siraj will have a point to prove after being ignored for recent white-ball games in the UK.
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