Shubman Gill-led India will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series, starting August 15. This will be Gill’s first series as the captain of the Test team. India have struggled in spin-friendly conditions since Gautam Gambhir’s appointment as the head coach and they will have their task cut out against Sri Lanka. New Zealand whitewashed India 3-0 in the sub-continent in 2024. In 2025, South Africa whitewashed India 2-0. As India gear up for another spin challenge, here we have a look at their likely playing XI for the series opener –
Openers
KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal will face the new ball once again. Rahul is only two runs away from overtaking Gautam Gambhir in the list of Indian batters with the most Test runs. This will be Jaiswal’s first Test in Sri Lanka. He made his Test debut against West Indies in 2023.
Middle-order
India are set to have a new number 3 batter in the absence of Sai Sudharsan. Devdutt Padikkal will walk out to bat after the fall of the first wicket. The left-handed batter warmed ip well for the first Test by slamming a century in the practice game. Sudharsan has been ruled out of the series due to a toe injury.
Shubman Gill, who started his career as an opener before moving down to number 3 and then number four, will follow Padikkal. Rishabh Pant will bat at number five.
There will be a toss-up between Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel for the next spot. Jurel was part of the original squad while Sarfaraz replaced Sudharsan. Jurel looks set to bat at number six.
All-rounders
Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Kuldeep Yadav will be the three spin-bowling all-rounders in the team. Jadeja is a full-fledged all-rounder while Manav and Kuldeep can also contribute with the bat when needed. Saransh Jain will have to wait for his opportunity.
Bowlers
Mohammed Siraj will lead the pace attack, which will include Prasidh Krishna. Auqib Nabi wasn’t part of the original squad and he is behind Prasidh in the pecking order. Nabi replaced Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out due to a knee injury.
India’s likely playing XI for first Test vs Sri Lanka: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj