IND 462 & 193 beat SL 284 & 206 | IND in SL 2026 Scorecard
India arrive in Galle carrying a five-match Test winning streak in Sri Lanka — and carrying significant injury baggage. Jasprit Bumrah is ruled out of the entire series (left-knee injury), replaced by uncapped J&K pacer Auqib Nabi. Sai Sudharsan is also out (toe), handing Devdutt Padikkal the No.3 slot — one he seized with a warm-up 142* against the Sri Lanka XI (Aug 7–9). Shubman Gill, who missed two warm-up days with a finger scare, has been declared fully fit. Sri Lanka, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, enter on the back of an innings-and-217-run hammering by West Indies — but at Galle with Prabath Jayasuriya bowling, the home fortress is real. WTC 2025–27: India sit 5th at 48.15 PCT and need wins to keep Finals hopes alive.
- 📋 Match #1
- 📅 15 August 2026 · 10:00 AM local (05:30 AM IST)
- 📍 Galle International Stadium, Galle
- 🏆 IND in SL 2026
- ✅ Playing XI confirmed (22 players)
Galle is world cricket's definitive spin venue. The surface starts firm on Day 1 but deteriorates sharply from the afternoon of Day 2 — sharp turn, uneven bounce, crumbling rough outside left-handers' off stump. Left-arm orthodox spin is especially dangerous here, giving Prabath Jayasuriya a built-in home advantage. Toss is critical: teams batting first at Galle have won 11 of the last 14 Tests. Average first-innings total: 320–360; second-innings collapses below 200 are routine. August is the tail of the south-west monsoon — rain interruptions possible.
Sri Lanka lost their last Test to West Indies by an innings and 217 runs — a result that triggered selection changes including dropping Kusal Mendis and recalling Niroshan Dickwella. Their last two home Tests were won (vs Bangladesh 2025). Dhananjaya de Silva and Kamindu Mendis are their batting linchpins; Prabath Jayasuriya (47 wickets in 9 home Tests at Galle) is the decisive bowling weapon on this surface.
India won their warm-up match vs Sri Lanka XI by 6 wickets (Aug 7–9): Devdutt Padikkal hit 142*, Yashasvi Jaiswal struck 61 off 46 in the chase, and Gill returned from his finger injury with 44 off 54 on Day 3. Without Bumrah, Siraj leads a spin-heavy attack. Jadeja returns from injury and is the single most important player in India's plans for this surface.
Left-arm spin + bat + catches: the complete Test package on Galle's disintegrating surface. His 2022 Galle Test (8 wkts + 45*) is the blueprint. No safer 2× pick in this fixture. If he plays, he's your captain.
Home spinner at Galle with 47 wickets in 9 Tests here. India have five left-arm spin targets in their top 6. A five-for at 1.5× is worth 50+ fantasy points from bowling alone. Perfect VC to hedge against Jadeja captain.
- Ravindra Jadeja(IND)
Jadeja is the match-winner India need at Galle. Left-arm spin into the crumbling rough is unplayable by Day 3–5, and he also bats at No.7 (30–60 runs per innings typical) and takes slip catches. His last Test at Galle (2022): 8 wickets and a crucial 45*. The safest captain pick of the entire match.
- Prabath Jayasuriya(SL)
47 wickets in 9 home Tests at Galle — the most prolific spinner at this ground in recent history. Left-arm into the rough targeting right-handers is his stock delivery; India have five right-handers in their top 6. On a fifth-day Galle pitch, he is genuinely unplayable. VC candidate and match-winner for Sri Lanka.
- Kuldeep Yadav(IND)
Wrist spin on a turning Galle surface gives Kuldeep a potent attacking option. His googly — turning the other way — is the ball that dismisses set batters who have read his action. He also holds the key to unlocking Kamindu Mendis early. Expect 3–4 wickets across the Test.
- Kamindu Mendis(SL)
Kamindu averages 55+ in Test cricket — one of the most technically correct batters against spin in the game today. As vice-captain he carries additional responsibility. His part-time left-arm spin also provides Sri Lanka a fourth spin option in favourable conditions. Elite premium pick at any ownership.
- Devdutt Padikkal(IND)
A warm-up 142* against Sri Lanka's spinners has shot Padikkal's form and confidence to the top. He's now a direct starter at No.3 and is one of India's technically correct players against spin. Low ownership, strong form — the differential pick of the match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won SL vs IND?
IND won. See the full scorecard, fantasy points and top performers on this page.
What is the pitch report for Galle International Stadium?
Galle is world cricket's definitive spin venue. The surface starts firm on Day 1 but deteriorates sharply from the afternoon of Day 2 — sharp turn, uneven bounce, crumbling rough outside left-handers' off stump. Left-arm orthodox spin is especially dangerous here, giving Prabath Jayasuriya a built-in home advantage. Toss is critical: teams batting first at Galle have won 11 of the last 14 Tests. Average first-innings total: 320–360; second-innings collapses below 200 are routine. August is the tail of the south-west monsoon — rain interruptions possible.
Who should be captain for SL vs IND in fantasy cricket?
Ravindra Jadeja is a strong captain pick, with Prabath Jayasuriya as vice-captain. Left-arm spin + bat + catches: the complete Test package on Galle's disintegrating surface. His 2022 Galle Test (8 wkts + 45*) is the blueprint. No safer 2× pick in this fixture. If he plays, he's your captain.
Who will win SL vs IND?
India are favourites given deeper batting and superior spin options, but Galle with Prabath Jayasuriya levels the field. If India win the toss and bat first, their depth (Jadeja at No.7, Pant at No.5) should produce 320–360 and put pressure on Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's batting — vulnerable after the West Indies collapse — faces a huge first-innings examination. Prediction: India win by an innings or 6 wickets on the back of Jadeja dominance. However, rain on Days 3–4 could hand Sri Lanka a draw.
How do I play fantasy cricket for SL vs IND on CricketDream?
Build a free Fantasy XI for Sri Lanka vs India, join a snake Draft with friends, or play the Predictor — all on CricketDream. Pick your 11 players before the toss and compete on the live leaderboard.