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Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test Predictions - in-form Gill to crush Sri Lanka attack

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 13 Aug 2026

Simon Lewis 13 Aug 2026

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Sri Lanka lost their last Test series 1-0 to the West Indies.
India beat Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in their last Test.
India have beaten Sri Lanka by large margins in three of their last four Tests.

Expired

Shubman Gill has been in great form with recent scores of 80*, 31, 77* & 44 (Getty Images).

Sri Lanka vs India Predictions

India have won eight of their last 11 Tests against Sri Lanka, losing one of those Tests and with two finishing in a draw.

Sri Lanka vs India Predictions
Head-to-Head
Sri Lanka Form
India Form
Team news

Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva has scored 120, 33 & 34 in his last 4 knocks.
Sri Lanka’s Nishan Fernando has scores of 66 & 63* in his last 2 innings.
Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya has taken 14 wickets in his last 6 innings.
India’s Shubman Gill has scored 80*, 31, 77* & 44 in his last 4 matches.
India’s KL Rahul has scored 2 tons in his last 7 Test innings.
India’s Ravindra Jadeja has taken 2/21, 2/64 & 2/33 in his last 4 innings.
India have won 3 of their last 4 Tests against Sri Lanka.

Head-to-Head

India have won three of their last five Tests against Sri Lanka, with the other two matches ending in a draw.

Sri Lanka Form

Sri Lanka begin the Galle Test against India with a 16-member squad led by Dhananjaya de Silva, with Kamindu Mendis serving as vice-captain. The hosts will be looking to use familiar conditions to their advantage, but they enter the match with several important selection challenges.

The biggest story in the squad is the return of Niroshan Dickwella, who is back in the Test setup after last playing the format in 2023. His recall gives Sri Lanka experience and flexibility, particularly with the gloves and in the middle order.

Sri Lanka will be without two important batters, with Kusal Mendis ruled out due to a hamstring injury and Pathum Nissanka also unavailable. Their absence leaves the hosts short of established batting options, increasing the responsibility on Dhananjaya, Kamindu Mendis and senior batter Dinesh Chandimal.

Nishan Madushka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sonal Dinusha could all have important roles to play as Sri Lanka look to build a competitive batting unit. Sooriyabandara may also be in contention for a Test debut, while Keshara Nuwantha has earned a maiden call-up and adds further intrigue to the squad.

With the ball, Sri Lanka’s main strength should come through spin. Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis are expected to be key weapons on a Galle surface likely to offer turn as the match progresses. Nuwantha could also come into the equation if the hosts want another slow-bowling option.

The pace attack includes Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Milan Rathnayake and the returning Dilshan Madushanka, who is back in the Test squad after his only previous appearance in 2023.

Sri Lanka’s challenge will be covering their batting absences while making full use of home conditions. If their spinners dominate, they could still put India under serious pressure.

India Form

India head into the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle with a predicted XI shaped strongly by spin-friendly conditions and several injury-enforced changes to the squad.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to open the batting and will be a key figure at the top of the order. The left-hander has been one of India’s most consistent Test performers in recent times, and his ability to handle spin could be crucial on a surface that traditionally assists slow bowlers. KL Rahul is likely to partner him, bringing valuable experience and a reliable technique against both pace and spin.

Devdutt Padikkal is expected to slot in at number three, giving India another left-handed option in the top order. Captain Shubman Gill should bat at number four after recovering from a finger injury suffered during training in Colombo. His leadership and batting form will be central to India’s plans.

Rishabh Pant is expected to keep wicket and bat at number five, offering aggression and the ability to change the tempo of the innings. Ravindra Jadeja’s return adds balance, with his batting depth and left-arm spin likely to be vital in Galle. India could then choose between Saransh Jain and Sarfaraz Khan, depending on whether they want an extra spin-bowling all-rounder or additional batting strength.

With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, Mohammed Siraj is expected to lead the pace attack, possibly alongside left-arm pacer Gurnoor Brar. India’s main threat, however, could come through spin. Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar provide variety, control and wicket-taking potential.

India’s challenge will be finding the right balance without Bumrah, but their batting depth and spin options should make them strong contenders in conditions expected to suit them.

Team news

The ability to handle spin could decide what has the potential to be a tight Galle contest, despite India’s form and Sri Lanka’s recent struggles.

Sri Lanka (possible XI): Nishan Madushka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Niroshan Dickwell, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.

India (possible XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Saransh Jain/Sarfaraz Khan, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.

Verdict

Sri Lanka v India 1st Test

India are strong favourites to win the 1st Test, with Shubman Gill worth backing to keep the runs flowing. Dhananjaya de Silva, Prabath Jayasuriya and Ravindra Jadeja are all backed to star with bat and ball for their sides.

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Simon is a talented sports writer in South Africa with a strong focus on cricket having played first-team level for UCT, including playing at two Universities Weeks.

From a young age Simon was an avid reader of cricket magazines and books, and went on to be Editor of The Googly, CricketScene SA and SA Cricket, in addition to being a Features Writer on SA Sports Illustrated.

He has interviewed most of South Africa's premier cricketers and was the first writer to interview a teenaged Jacques Kallis.

Simon has also written about English and local football, rugby and cricket, in addition to major international tennis and golf stars and competitions.

You can follow more from Simon at Muckrack, X and LinkedIn.