Sonal Dinusha to captain SLC XI in warm-up vs India at NCC Grounds
Synopsis
Sonal Dinusha, a three-Test all-rounder, leads a competitive SLC XI against India in Colombo's only warm-up fixture before the Galle Test on 15 August. With Jadeja returning from a competitive break and two uncapped players in line for debuts, India's XI for the series opener is far from settled.
Key Takeaways
Sonal Dinusha named captain of a 15-member SLC XI for the three-day warm-up against India at NCC Grounds, Colombo , starting 8 August .
The fixture is India's only warm-up game before the two-match Test series opens at Galle on 15 August .
SLC XI includes seven Test contenders , among them pacers Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando and spinner Ramesh Mendis .
Ravindra Jadeja is set for his first competitive outing since IPL 2026 ; uncapped Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi also expected to feature.
Sai Sudharsan is a doubtful starter due to a foot injury; Devdutt Padikkal may bat at number three in his absence.
Young bowling all-rounder Sonal Dinusha has been named captain of a 15-member Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) XI squad for the three-day warm-up match against India, set to begin at the NCC Grounds, Colombo on Friday, 8 August. The fixture, starting at 10 am local time, is the only warm-up game for the Shubman Gill-led Indian side before the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka opens at Galle on 15 August.
SLC XI Squad Composition
The SLC XI features a strong core of seven Test team contenders. Alongside captain Dinusha, the group includes pacers Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando, off-spinner Ramesh Mendis, and batters Nishan Madushka, Pavan Rathnayake, and Anjala Bandara. Left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera, who previously claimed a 10-wicket match haul against India A, and pacer Kesara Nuwantha, who bagged a five-wicket haul against the same opposition, add further depth to the lineup.
With several first-team regulars currently featuring in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL), the warm-up fixture represents a critical audition for the players in contention for Sri Lanka's final Test squad.
Dinusha's Credentials
Dinusha made his Test debut against Bangladesh last year and has accumulated three Test appearances to date. His appointment as captain for this fixture underlines the selectors' interest in assessing his leadership potential alongside his all-round skills on a surface expected to assist spin.
India's Key Considerations
For the touring side, the three days of match practice carry particular importance ahead of facing turning pitches in Sri Lanka. Senior left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is expected to make his first competitive appearance since the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, offering a significant fitness and form marker. Uncapped newcomers Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi are also set to receive game time in the fixture.
Top-order batter Sai Sudharsan remains a doubtful starter, as his participation is subject to fitness clearance. Sudharsan is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru for a foot injury. Should he miss the warm-up, Devdutt Padikkal is expected to slot in at number three.
Full SLC XI Squad
Nishan Madushka, Ravindu Rashantha, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha (captain), Anjala Bandara (wk), Nipun Dananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asanka Manoj, Isitha Wijesundara, Ramesh Mendis, Kesara Nuwantha, Dilum Sudeera.
With the Galle Test less than two weeks away, both sides will look to use this fixture to sharpen combinations and settle selection debates before the series gets underway.
Point of View
Padikkal's readiness at three, and the match-sharpness of Jadeja after a competitive gap — all of which need answers before Galle. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are using the fixture as a de facto selection trial with LPL pulling away several first-choice names. The side that extracts more clarity from these three days will enter the Test series with a structural advantage, however small.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is captaining the SLC XI in the warm-up match against India?
Bowling all-rounder Sonal Dinusha has been named captain of the 15-member SLC XI for the three-day warm-up fixture against India at NCC Grounds, Colombo. Dinusha has made three Test appearances since his debut against Bangladesh last year.
When and where does the India vs SLC XI warm-up match take place?
The three-day warm-up match begins on Friday, 8 August, at the NCC Grounds in Colombo, with play starting at 10 am local time. It is the only warm-up fixture for India before the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
Which Indian players are set to feature in the warm-up game?
Ravindra Jadeja is expected to play his first competitive match since IPL 2026, while uncapped players Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi are also set to get game time. Top-order batter Sai Sudharsan remains doubtful due to a foot injury.
Why is this warm-up match significant for Sri Lanka?
Several Sri Lanka first-team regulars are currently playing in the Lanka Premier League (LPL), making the warm-up a key audition for fringe players to stake their claim for the final Test squad. Seven members of the SLC XI are already in contention for Test selection.
When does the India vs Sri Lanka Test series begin?
The two-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka begins at Galle on 15 August. The Colombo warm-up fixture is the sole preparation game India have before the series opener.
