MUMBAI: India tour Sri Lanka in August for a two-match Test series, with matches to be played in Galle and Colombo from August 15 to 27.
The opening Test will be played from August 15 to 19 at the Galle International Stadium, while the second and final Test will be played at the Sinhala Sports Club (SSC) Stadium in Colombo from August 23 to 27.
Although the SSC ground has recently been fitted with floodlights, both matches will be traditional red-ball matches and will start at 10:00 am local time, with no day-night Test scheduled.
The tour will mark India’s first Test series in Sri Lanka since 2017. India have enjoyed remarkable success on the island, winning their last five Tests there and going unbeaten in a Test series against Sri Lanka since 2008.
No official warm-up matches have been confirmed, although earlier draft itineraries included a four-day practice match in Colombo.
The series will also represent the first ever ICC World Test Championship (WTC) match between the two sides in Sri Lanka.
India enter the series looking to revive their WTC campaign after a 2-0 series defeat against South Africa. With four wins, four losses and one draw, they are currently fifth in the standings.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka slipped to sixth place in the points table following an innings defeat against the West Indies last week.
Australia and South Africa are currently in the lead for the 2027 WTC finals, with New Zealand in third place. The top two teams at the end of the current cycle will qualify for the finals.
India have appeared in two of the three WTC finals to date, but are still looking for their first title. Two away Tests against New Zealand and five home Tests against Australia remain in the 2025-27 WTC cycle.
Sri Lanka’s best WTC finish is fifth and they are set to tour New Zealand early next year.
Although there may be occasional afternoon showers, especially in Galle, August generally offers favorable weather in the south-west of Sri Lanka, where both Tests will be played.
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