India tour Sri Lanka 2026: Two-match Test series from August 15-27
Synopsis
India's first Test tour of Sri Lanka since Kohli's 2017 clean sweep is confirmed for August 2026 — and this time the stakes are higher. With India fifth and Sri Lanka sixth in the WTC standings, both teams need a series win to stay in contention for a World Test Championship final berth.
Key Takeaways
India will play a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka in August 2026 as part of the WTC 2025-2027 cycle.
First Test: Galle International Cricket Stadium , 15-19 August ; Second Test: Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo , 23-27 August .
Shubman Gill -led India are fifth in the WTC table with a PCT of 48.15 ; Sri Lanka are sixth at 44.44 .
This is India's first Test tour of Sri Lanka since 2017 , when Virat Kohli 's side won a clean sweep.
A proposed three-match T20I series for Cyclone Ditwah relief funds was not included in the SLC announcement.
India A , led by Dhruv Jurel , are already in Sri Lanka for a two-match red-ball shadow tour in Galle .
India will tour Sri Lanka in August 2026 for a two-match Test series that forms part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 cycle, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed on Thursday, 2 July. The series carries significant WTC implications for both sides as they chase a top-two finish and a place in the final.
Match Schedule and Venues
The opening Test will be held at the Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS) from 15 to 19 August, with the second and final Test moving to the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo from 23 to 27 August. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 10 am local time.
WTC Standings and What Is at Stake
The Shubman Gill-led India currently sit fifth in the WTC points table with a points percentage (PCT) of 48.15 after nine matches. Sri Lanka are placed sixth with a PCT of 44.44. A series win would deliver a crucial points boost to either team in their bid to secure a top-two berth and qualify for the WTC final.
India's Return to Sri Lanka Tests After 2017
This series marks India's first Test tour of Sri Lanka since 2017, when a side captained by Virat Kohli completed a clean-sweep victory. Nearly nine years on, the competitive context has shifted considerably — both teams enter this series under fresh leadership and with WTC points on the line rather than just bilateral prestige.
T20I Series and Cyclone Relief Funds
Notably, a proposed three-match T20I series between the two nations — initially floated as a fundraiser for relief and reconstruction following Cyclone Ditwah — was not mentioned in the SLC announcement. It remains unclear whether those matches have been shelved or are still under discussion. The Test series is scheduled to begin after the Lanka Premier League (LPL) wraps up on 8 August.
India A Shadow Tour Already Underway
Ahead of the senior series, a Dhruv Jurel-led India A squad is currently in Sri Lanka for a two-match red-ball shadow tour in Galle. The first four-day game ended in a draw, and the second is currently in progress — providing valuable preparation and match practice for fringe players eyeing senior selection.
With WTC qualification spots tightening and India yet to lock in a top-two position, the outcome of this series could prove decisive in shaping the final standings before the cycle concludes.
Point of View
And a two-Test series on spinning tracks in Galle and Colombo could swing the standings meaningfully. India's absence from Sri Lankan Test cricket since 2017 also means this is an unfamiliar environment for most of the current squad. The dropped T20I series — originally conceived as a Cyclone Ditwah relief mechanism — is worth watching: its quiet disappearance from the SLC announcement raises questions about bilateral priorities and whether humanitarian intent got lost in scheduling logistics.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the India vs Sri Lanka Test series in 2026?
The two-match Test series runs from 15 to 27 August 2026 . The first Test is at Galle from 15-19 August and the second at the SSC in Colombo from 23-27 August.
Why does this series matter for the WTC standings?
Both India (fifth, PCT 48.15) and Sri Lanka (sixth, PCT 44.44) are outside the top two in the WTC 2025-27 cycle. A series win would give either team a significant points boost toward qualifying for the WTC final.
When did India last play a Test series in Sri Lanka?
India last toured Sri Lanka for Tests in 2017, when a Virat Kohli-led side won a clean sweep. The upcoming 2026 series is India's first Test visit to the island in nearly nine years.
What happened to the proposed T20I series between India and Sri Lanka?
A three-match T20I series was initially proposed to raise funds for relief and reconstruction following Cyclone Ditwah, but Sri Lanka Cricket made no mention of it in the official announcement confirming the Test schedule. Its status remains unclear.
Who is leading India A on the current Sri Lanka tour?
Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel is leading India A on a two-match red-ball shadow tour in Galle. The first four-day game ended in a draw, and the second match is currently underway.
