Meanwhile, the hosts enter the upcoming contest with a thoroughly revamped roster and an urgent need to bounce back. Sri Lanka must cope with the absence of two seasoned batsmen, while India looks to iron out lingering vulnerabilities exposed during their previous outing. India prepares to secure a clean sweep when they square off against Sri Lanka in the second and final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo, scheduled from August 23 to 27, 2026. The visiting side executed a flawless game plan in Galle to claim the opening fixture by 165 runs, giving them a 1 0 lead in the two match series.
Squad Changes And Batting Concerns For Hosts The home team faces immense pressure on their batting unit following confirmation that Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Mendis will miss the encounter. Selectors have called up Asan Arachchige and Kamil Mishara as replacements. With Pathum Nissanka also missing, the hosts must extract crucial runs from a notably green middle order. Captaincy Focus And Pitch Expectations Indian captain Shubman Gill enters Colombo with specific technical goals to address following dismissals against left arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya in Galle. During training sessions at the Sinhalese Sports Club nets, the skipper worked extensively alongside Manav Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja, and local bowlers to refine his defensive angles.
Chandimal sustained a concussion in the first match, and Mendis remains sidelined for the remainder of the series due to a hamstring strain picked up during the Lanka Premier League. Arachchige earned his call up after scoring 127 for Sri Lanka A against India A in an unofficial Test match, whereas Mishara secured his spot through impressive showings in the 2026 Lanka Premier League and Major Club T20 tournaments. Gill managed scores of 16 and 8, drawing attention to a long standing vulnerability against orthodox left arm spin, which has now dismissed him 11 times across 42 Test appearances.
Positives And World Test Championship Implications India brings considerable momentum into the fixture. Useful contributions from KL Rahul, Dhruv Jurel, and the pace bowling group further fortified the side. Fans can catch the live stream on the SonyLIV app and website, or watch the live telecast on the Sony Sports Network and free television via DD Sports on DD Free Dish. India Squad: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar. Sri Lanka Squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Ratnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando. Rahul and his Karnataka mate Padikkal, it is also time for Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Gill to join the party. Dhruv Jurel has done his bit in the middle-order and Rishabh Pant has been his robust self. Dinesh Chandimal, dealing with a concussion, will be missed in a batting order that is a touch short on experience. But the way Sonal Dinusha batted in the first Test, offered hope. At Galle, in the second innings, he was casually sitting on the side-wall, soaking in the sun, and awaiting his turn to bat.
Devdutt Padikkal staked a firm claim for the number three spot by hitting his maiden Test century with a brilliant knock of 167 runs, while Manav Suthar dominated headlines by picking up 10 wickets in his debut match. The victory in Galle elevated India’s World Test Championship points percentage from 48.15 to 53.33, placing them fifth in the standings as they target a strong finish ahead of upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia. Broadcast And Squad Information The match is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM IST. Earlier reporting noted: Leading 1-0 and stepping into the second Test commencing at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on Sunday (August 22, 2026), India holds the edge over Sri Lanka. The 165-run triumph at Galle will hold the visitors in good stead, a victory shaped by two young players — Devdutt Padikkal and Manav Suthar .
Earlier reporting noted: In a batting unit that leant heavily on vice-captain K.L. Earlier reporting noted: For Sri Lanka, the fixture offers a chance to draw level in the series.
