India resume their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign on Sri Lankan soil on the country’s 80th Independence Day. The first Test starts on Saturday at the Galle International Stadium, with India currently fifth in the WTC 2025-27 points table, with a PCT of 48.15 per cent. The two-match series in Sri Lanka will be followed by a two-Test tour of New Zealand later this year, before the much-anticipated five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home against Australia in early 2027.
They then defeated the West Indies in a two-match series at home, signalling their intention to go all the way this time. Sri Lanka have recalled Niroshan Dickwella for the opener, three years after the stumper-batter last played a test match, after Kusal Mendis was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Shubman Gill ‘s India kicked off their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign with a tour of England last year, drawing the five-match series 2-2.
With nine matches remaining in the current cycle, India can qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final if they win all of their remaining games, without depending on any other results. In that scenario, India will have to depend on the results of Australia and South Africa. Two defeats would further dent their hopes of reaching the WTC final.
Because the top two teams at the end of the World Test Championship league phase will qualify for the final at The Oval in London, scheduled from June 9 to 13, 2027, earlier reporting noted: The stakes are particularly high. Their PCT will soar to 74.07 per cent in that case. However, if India lose even one match, their PCT will drop to 68.52 per cent. Earlier reporting noted: India vs Sri Lanka Series 2026: Squads, Schedule, How to Watch, WTC Context and All You Need to Know India are set to begin a crucial two Test assignment in Sri Lanka on August 15, with the series offering both teams an important opportunity to strengthen their position in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Earlier reporting noted: The two matches, which will be played in Galle and Colombo, are part of the 2025 to 2027 World Test Championship cycle. India are currently fifth in the standings with 52 points and a points percentage of 48.15, while Sri Lanka occupy sixth place with 20 points and a points percentage of 41.67. The series also marks India’s return to Sri Lanka for a Test assignment since their 2017 tour, when they completed a 3 to 0 series sweep. India had also won their previous series in Sri Lanka in 2015 by a 2 to 1 margin.
