Is Sarfaraz Khan playing in the IND vs SL first Test?

The first Test match of the India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 gets underway at the Galle International Stadium on Saturday, August 15. This is set to be the 50th Test match played in Galle.

This is India's first major Test assignment since their victory in the one-off Test against Afghanistan at New Chandigarh in June. Shubman Gill's side is sitting in fifth place in the standings of the ICC World Test Championship and will need a miracle to make the finals next year. This match is also India's 600th Test match.

The Lankan Lions come into this series on the back of a 1-0 loss in a two-match Test series against the West Indies. They sit in sixth place in the WTC table and will also need to rack up results if they are to make their first-ever final.

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SL vs IND: Toss Update

India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first. He spoke of the wicket being a great surface to bat on at the start of the Test match, with the beating weather. Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya de Silva also stated that he would have liked to bat first, but wants to make use of the bowling conditions first up.

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SL vs IND: Is Sarfaraz Khan playing the first IND vs SL Test?

No. Sarfaraz Khan is not playing today. The batter was brought into the squad as the injury replacement for Sai Sudharsan, but has not been able to make the lineup. Devdutt Padikkal comes in as Sudharsan's replacement at one-drop, while veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja returns after having been rested for the Afghanistan Test. 

Sri Lanka are facing their own injury crisis, with opener Pathum Nissanka and wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis ruled out of the series with injury. Nishan Madushka will open the batting in place of Nissanka while the returning Niroshan Dickwella will take the gloves. They have also handed a debut to off-spinning all-rounder Keshara Nuwantha

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SL vs IND: What did the captains say?

Shubman Gill (IND)

"We are looking to bat first. Looks like a good wicket. The weather also looks good. So hopefully it's gonna be a good day of cricket for us. We are going with the same playing XI as the last match. 5 bowlers, two fast bowlers and three spinners. It's a very big honour for me every time you get an opportunity to lead your country, and even more so on this occasion. Independence Day for us and the 600th Test match. So, looking forward to this game."

Dhananjaya de Silva (SL)

"The pitch looks good. I was hoping that as well. It's quite dry as well. Nishan Madushka comes in for Pathum Nissanka, while Niroshan Dickwella will be keeping, and Keshara will be debuting today. Two fast bowlers, two spinners, and two all-rounders, including Sonal Dinusha and me. Of course, you know, it's an honour to be part of this Test match. It's an iconic ground, and yeah, I'm very happy to captain this match."

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Playing 11s

India

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (capt), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna

Sri Lanka