India look to clinch series in second Test, Sri Lanka seek comeback
The Indian cricket team will aim to seal the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka when the second Test begins at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo on Sunday, August 22, 2026. The visitors currently lead 1-0 after a 165-run victory at Galle, and another win would give them a clean sweep.
After the scenic surroundings of Galle, the teams move to Colombo, a bustling metropolis known for its historical significance as a maritime trading hub. The focus, however, remains on cricket as both sides prepare for what promises to be a challenging contest.
The pitch at the SSC Ground appeared dull brown on the eve of the match, with a lush green outfield and covers in place in case of rain. As is typical in Sri Lanka, batters may find early assistance while spinners are expected to come into play as the match progresses.
For India, the batting unit leaned heavily on vice-captain K.L. Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal in the first Test. The team will hope that opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill also contribute substantial runs. Dhruv Jurel has been solid in the middle order, and Rishabh Pant remains a dependable presence with the bat.
Even though Ravindra Jadeja provides depth with his all-round abilities, India's lower order is fragile. This places responsibility on the specialist batters to score the bulk of the runs. Countering Sri Lanka's spin attack in the heat of Colombo will test their patience and technique.
In the bowling department, Mohammed Siraj leads the pace attack, with Prasidh Krishna providing useful breakthroughs at Galle. The spin options are well covered with Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja. There is also the possibility of a change in the playing eleven, with Saransh Jain's off-spin being considered for the left-handed Sri Lankan batters, potentially in place of Kuldeep Yadav.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will be looking to level the series. The hosts will miss Dinesh Chandimal, who is recovering from a concussion. His experience will be missed in a batting order that is relatively short on Test experience. However, Sonal Dinusha's batting performance in the first Test offered some encouragement. At Galle, he displayed composure while waiting for his turn to bat, and his innings in the second innings showed promise.
Sri Lanka's senior players will need to contribute significantly to put pressure on India. Kamil Mishara is in line for a Test debut after scoring an unbeaten 145 in a domestic T20 match. However, he will need to adapt his aggressive style to the demands of Test cricket.
The home team's attack will rely heavily on spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha. Their ability to challenge the Indian batters could be decisive in determining the course of the match.
India have had a well-planned tour, arriving early and playing a warm-up game before winning at Galle. They will aim to maintain their momentum in the final week in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back and avoid a series defeat.
The teams are as follows:
India: Shubman Gill (captain), K.L. Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Dhruv Jurel, Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain.
Sri Lanka: Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (wicket-keeper), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando.
Play will start at 10 a.m. IST.
