India tour Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series from August 15 to 27, 2026, with games in Galle and Colombo. Both fixtures count towards the WTC 2025-27 cycle, making this a business trip for both sides, not just another bilateral series.
Here is the complete schedule, squads, venue details and what history says about this contest, all in one place.
India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026: Full Schedule
The tour opens on August 15 at Galle International Stadium, moving to the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Colombo for the second and final Test. Both matches start at 10:00 AM IST.
| Date | Match | Venue | Start Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 7-10, 2026 | Practice match (4-day) | Colombo | 10:00 AM |
| August 15–19, 2026 | 1st Test – Sri Lanka vs India | Galle International Stadium, Galle | 10:00 AM |
| August 23–27, 2026 | 2nd Test – Sri Lanka vs India | Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo | 10:00 AM |
Unlike India’s recent white-ball trips to the island, this tour is a pure red-ball assignment. There is no ODI or T20I leg attached to it, so fans expecting a limited-overs series will need to wait for a separate future tour announcement.
India Squad for the Sri Lanka Tests
The BCCI has named a 15-member squad for the two Tests, led by Shubman Gill with KL Rahul as his deputy. Ravindra Jadeja is the standout inclusion, returning to the side for the first time since January 2026 after recovering from a tennis elbow injury picked up during IPL 2026 in May.
India Squad: Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain.
*Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah are included subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
Washington Sundar misses out after failing to recover from a hamstring injury in time, while uncapped all-rounder Saransh Jain earns his maiden call-up on the back of a strong domestic season. India will play a four-day practice match in Colombo starting August 7 to acclimatise before the first Test.
The Sri Lanka Cricket squad had not been announced as of this writing. This section will be updated the moment the home board confirms its 15.
Venues in Focus: Galle and the SSC
Here are the Venues of India Tour of Sri Lanka Test Series:
Galle International Stadium
Galle is one of the most picturesque grounds in world cricket, with a 400-year-old Dutch fort overlooking the boundary. It typically offers turn from day three onward, which historically suits Sri Lanka‘s spinners as much as India’s.
Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
The SSC is Sri Lanka‘s oldest Test venue and tends to be flatter and better for batting early, before cracks open up and spin takes over in the back half of the game.
Where to Watch India vs Sri Lanka 2026 in India
Television viewers in India can tune into the Sony Sports Network, which holds exclusive rights to broadcast Sri Lanka Cricket fixtures. Specifically, linear telecasts will be accessible across Sony Sports Ten 1 (English commentary), Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi commentary), and Sony Sports Ten 4 (regional commentary in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada).
Meanwhile, digital audiences can stream every Test match live on the SonyLIV platform via its mobile app, web browser, or smart TV application with an active subscription.
Furthermore, non-cable and terrestrial television households utilizing DD Free Dish can access free-to-air feeds through DD Sports. Consequently, fans across the country have structured viewing options tailored to their preferred language, network preference, and device.
India vs Sri Lanka: Test Head-to-Head Record
The two sides have met in 46 Test matches since 1982. India holds a commanding overall lead, and has never lost a home Test to Sri Lanka in 22 attempts on Indian soil.
| Venue | Matches | India Won | Sri Lanka Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall (all venues) | 46 | 22 | 7 (17 drawn) |
| In India | 22 | 13 | 0 (9 drawn) |
| In Sri Lanka | 24 | 9 | 7 (8 drawn) |
Away from home, though, the picture changes. Sri Lanka has won 7 of the 24 Tests played on its own turf against India, including a famous triple-century from Sanath Jayasuriya in Colombo back in 1997. India’s last Test tour of the island, in 2017, was a 3-0 sweep, and the two sides haven’t played a Test since 2022, when India won 2-0 at home in Mohali and Bengaluru
Why This Series Matters for the WTC 2025-27 Race
Both sides arrive in middling form. As of late July 2026, India sit 5th on the World Test Championship 2025-27 table with 4 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw from 9 matches (52 points, 48.15 PCT).
Sri Lanka are just behind in 6th, with 1 win, 1 loss and 2 draws from 4 matches (20 points, 41.67 PCT). Both trail early pacesetters Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh, who occupy the top four spots.
A 2-0 result for either team would meaningfully lift its points percentage and close the gap to the top four. For India, who have lost as many Tests as they’ve won this cycle, two wins in Sri Lanka would be an important course-correction heading into the business end of the cycle.
Conclusion: India tour Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series from August 15 to 27, 2026
The 2026 tour holds significant weight for both subcontinental rivals as crucial World Test Championship points are at stake in the 2025–2027 cycle.
With spin-friendly venues like Galle and the SSC set to offer classic turning conditions, the battle between India’s spin attack highlighted by Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav-and Sri Lanka’s home spinners will likely decide the outcome of the series.
Additionally, this series serves as another major overseas Test assignment for Shubman Gill as he continues to establish his leadership as India’s Test captain.
