India enter the second Test as clear favourites after beating Sri Lanka by 165 runs in Galle. Devdutt Padikkal led the batting effort, while Manav Suthar claimed ten wickets in the match.
Sri Lanka now face a must-win game to draw the two-match series. However, injuries have weakened their batting unit. Current match odds also favour India.
The visitors have a deeper spin attack and stronger recent form, but rain in Colombo could increase the chance of a draw.
SL vs IND 2nd Test Match Details
The second and final Test will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. The match forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The BCCI confirmed the dates and venue.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd Test |
| Series | India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| Date | August 23 to August 27, 2026 |
| Start time | 10:00 AM IST and local time |
| GMT start | 4:30 AM |
| Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo |
| Series status | India lead 1-0 |
| Live streaming in India | SonyLIV |
| TV broadcast in India | Sony Sports Network |
| Global coverage | Check the local broadcaster or streaming partner for your region |
SL vs IND 2nd Test Match Odds and Win Probability
India remain firm favourites in the three-result market. Their 165-run win in Galle and Sri Lanka’s injury problems have pushed the market further towards the visitors.
The following prices were available on August 21, 2026. Cricket odds can change before the toss.
| Result | Fractional odds | Decimal odds | Raw implied probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka win | 24/5 | 5.80 | 17.2% |
| Draw | 7/2 | 4.50 | 22.2% |
| India win | 2/5 | 1.40 | 71.4% |
The percentages total more than 100% because bookmakers include a margin in their prices. After removing that margin, the market gives India roughly a 64% chance, the draw about 20%, and Sri Lanka around 16%.
India deserve favourite status. They hold the stronger head-to-head record and won the first Test with time to spare. However, the rain forecast makes the draw more relevant than it would be in dry conditions.
Odds are indicative and can move at any time. Always check the current market before making a decision.
Colombo Pitch and Weather Report
The Sinhalese Sports Club pitch should offer a fair contest between bat and ball. According to a pre-match pitch update, officials may prepare a balanced surface similar to the one used in Galle.
They do not want an extreme turning pitch because it could also expose Sri Lanka’s inexperienced batting line-up. The team batting first may gain an important advantage as the surface wears down.
SSC Colombo Test Stats
| Venue stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Tests played | 46 |
| Matches won by team batting first | 16 |
| Matches won by team bowling first | 16 |
| Draws | 14 |
| Average first-innings score | 323 |
| Average second-innings score | 354 |
| Average third-innings score | 273 |
| Average fourth-innings score | 182 |
| Highest Test total | 756/5 |
| Lowest Test total | 81 |
| Highest successful chase | 326/5 |
| Lowest total defended | 164 |
The early surface often allows batters to score once they settle. Spinners usually find more turn from the third day. The average fourth-innings score of 182 shows how difficult chasing can become late in the match.
Clouds and rain could interrupt each day of the Test. Colombo may see temperatures between 26°C and 31°C. The forecast includes scattered showers on the first four days and more rain on the final day. Captains may therefore prefer to bat first, score quickly and give their bowlers enough time to take 20 wickets.
First Test Recap: India Lead the Series 1-0
India won the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs. The visitors made 462 in their first innings and secured a lead of 178 runs. Sri Lanka then dismissed India for 193 but faced a difficult target of 372.
Manav Suthar took six wickets in the fourth innings as Sri Lanka fell for 206. The first-Test scorecard confirms India’s comfortable victory.
| Team | First innings | Second innings |
|---|---|---|
| India | 462 | 193 |
| Sri Lanka | 284 | 206 |
Key Performances in the First Test
- Devdutt Padikkal scored 167 and 44. He won the Player of the Match award.
- Manav Suthar took 4/76 and 6/55.
- KL Rahul scored 82 in India’s first innings.
- Rishabh Pant struck 66 from 69 balls in the second innings.
- Sonal Dinusha scored 100 in Sri Lanka’s first innings and 84 in the second.
- Niroshan Dickwella made 80 in the first innings.
- Prabath Jayasuriya took seven wickets across the match.
- Asitha Fernando claimed six wickets across the two innings.
India controlled most of the match, but Sri Lanka produced two useful partnerships. Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella added 146 runs in the first innings. Dinusha then added 95 with Dhananjaya de Silva during the final innings.
Sri Lanka vs India Test Head-to-Head Record
India have dominated the Test rivalry. The two teams have played 47 matches, with India winning 23 and Sri Lanka winning seven. Seventeen games ended in draws.
| Head-to-head stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 47 |
| India wins | 23 |
| Sri Lanka wins | 7 |
| Draws | 17 |
| India win percentage | 48.94% |
| Sri Lanka win percentage | 14.89% |
| First Test meeting | September 1982, draw |
| Most recent meeting | August 2026, India won by 165 runs |
India have now gone 11 Tests without losing to Sri Lanka. They have won nine of those matches. India also won their two most recent Tests against Sri Lanka at the SSC Ground, in 2015 and 2017.
SL vs IND 2nd Test Predicted Playing XIs
Sri Lanka must change their batting order. Dinesh Chandimal cannot play because concussion rules require a seven-day break. Kusal Mendis remains out with a hamstring injury, while Pathum Nissanka continues his recovery from wrist surgery.
Sri Lanka have added Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige to the squad. Mishara scored 145 from 72 balls in a domestic T20 match on the day of his call-up. Arachchige recently scored 127 for Sri Lanka A against India A.
Sri Lanka Predicted XI
Nishan Madushka, Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Sahan Arachchige also remain in contention for a middle-order place. Sri Lanka may choose Arachchige if they want another spin option.
India Predicted XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
India have little reason to change a winning combination. However, Saransh Jain could challenge Kuldeep Yadav for a place if India want an off-spinner in the attack.
SL vs IND 2nd Test Probable Best Performers
Here are the Probable best Performers from both Teams:
Probable Best Batter: Devdutt Padikkal
Padikkal scored 211 runs across two innings in Galle. His 167 in the first innings gave India control of the match. He also handled Sri Lanka’s left-arm spin well.
The SSC surface should suit his patient style. Padikkal plays well from the back foot and uses his reach against spin. He looks like India’s strongest top-batter option based on current form.
Probable Best Bowler: Manav Suthar
Suthar took ten wickets for 131 runs in the first Test. He dismissed four batters in the first innings and six in the second. His accuracy caused problems once the Galle pitch began to turn.
Colombo may provide less spin during the first two days. However, Suthar can still create pressure through control. His threat should rise as the match progresses.
Sri Lanka X-Factor: Sonal Dinusha
Dinusha scored 100 and 84 in Galle. He handled India’s three-spiner attack better than any other Sri Lankan batter. His sweeps and footwork allowed him to score without taking needless risks.
Sri Lanka need another major contribution from Dinusha. His ability to bat with the lower order could determine whether the hosts post a competitive first-innings total.
SL vs IND 2nd Test Top Player Bets
These selections focus on recent form, likely roles and expected conditions. Live prices were not available for every player market at the time of writing.
| Market | Selection | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Top India batter | Devdutt Padikkal | Scored 167 and 44 in the first Test |
| Top Sri Lanka batter | Sonal Dinusha | Made 184 runs across two innings in Galle |
| India’s leading wicket-taker | Manav Suthar | Took ten wickets in the opening Test |
| Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker | Prabath Jayasuriya | Took seven wickets in Galle and knows SSC conditions |
| Player of the Match candidate | Devdutt Padikkal | Strong form and a key role at No. 3 |
| First-innings leader | India | Stronger and more settled top order |
| Match result alternative | India or draw | Rain creates a greater draw risk |
Prabath Jayasuriya remains Sri Lanka’s main bowling threat. He took four wickets in India’s first innings and three in the second at Galle. His record at the SSC also strengthens his case.
SL vs IND 2nd Test Prediction
India should win the second Test and complete a 2-0 series victory. They have a more settled batting line-up and three quality spin options. Padikkal, Rahul and Pant also showed better methods against spin during the first match.
Sri Lanka’s chances depend on three factors. They need a large first-innings score, another strong performance from Sonal Dinusha, and early wickets from Prabath Jayasuriya. The absence of Chandimal, Kusal Mendis and likely Pathum Nissanka leaves the hosts short of experience.
Rain offers Sri Lanka some protection. Several interruptions could remove enough playing time to produce a draw. Even so, India’s bowling depth gives them the best chance of forcing a result.
