India warm-up game in Colombo from Aug 7 ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
Synopsis
Shubman Gill's India touch down in Colombo on 4 August for a four-day warm-up before a two-Test series that could reshape WTC standings for both sides. With India in fifth and Sri Lanka sixth, this is more than a bilateral tour — it is a genuine WTC elimination contest.
Key Takeaways
India arrive in Colombo on 4 August for a four-day warm-up at NCC from 7 to 10 August .
The first Test is at Galle International Cricket Stadium from 15 to 19 August .
The second Test is at Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), Colombo from 23 to 27 August .
India are fifth in WTC standings with a PCT of 48.15 ; Sri Lanka are sixth at 44.44 .
This is India's first Test tour of Sri Lanka since their 3-0 series win in 2017 under Virat Kohli .
The Indian men's cricket team, led by Shubman Gill, will play a four-day warm-up match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) in Colombo from 7 to 10 August, ahead of a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka beginning on 15 August. The squad is set to arrive in Colombo on 4 August and will hold practice sessions before the tour game gets underway.
Warm-Up Schedule and Venue
The four-day practice match at NCC, Colombo is designed to give all squad members time to acclimatise to local pitch and weather conditions before competitive action begins. 'Yes, the Indian team will have its practice game from August 7 to 10 at NCC, Colombo. It will help all players to adjust to the local conditions on offer before the main series gets underway,' a source familiar with the development said.
Test Series Fixtures
Following the warm-up, India travel south to Galle, where the first Test will be staged at the Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS) from 15 to 19 August. The second and final Test returns to Colombo at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) from 23 to 27 August. Both matches are scheduled to begin at 10 am local time.
WTC Stakes for Both Sides
The series carries significant weight in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. India currently sit fifth with a points percentage (PCT) of 48.15 from nine matches, while Sri Lanka are sixth at a PCT of 44.44. A series win for either side would deliver a crucial boost to their respective bids for a top-two finish and a place in the WTC final.
India's Return to Sri Lanka After Eight Years
This tour marks India's first Test visit to Sri Lanka since 2017, when a Virat Kohli-captained side swept the hosts 3-0. India's most recent Test assignment was an emphatic innings victory over Afghanistan in June, while Sri Lanka arrive into this series having suffered a 2-0 defeat to the West Indies. Both teams, then, carry momentum questions into what promises to be a closely contested series.
Point of View
But the real story is what this series means for the WTC cycle. India at fifth and Sri Lanka at sixth are both chasing the same lifeline — a top-two berth — which turns a bilateral into a knockout in all but name. India's 2017 whitewash was built on a dominant pace attack and Kohli's authority; Gill's side will need to establish its own identity in conditions that have historically favoured spin. Sri Lanka's 2-0 loss to West Indies is a red flag, but home conditions in Galle remain among the most spin-friendly in world cricket. Whoever adapts faster after the warm-up will likely take the series.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does India's warm-up game in Colombo start?
India's four-day warm-up match begins on 7 August and runs until 10 August at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) in Colombo. The squad is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on 4 August.
What is the schedule for the India vs Sri Lanka Test series?
The first Test is at Galle International Cricket Stadium from 15 to 19 August, and the second Test is at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo from 23 to 27 August. Both matches start at 10 am local time.
Why does the India-Sri Lanka series matter for the WTC?
India are currently fifth in WTC standings with a PCT of 48.15, while Sri Lanka are sixth at 44.44. A series win for either team would significantly improve their chances of finishing in the top two and qualifying for the WTC final.
Who is captaining India for the Sri Lanka tour?
Shubman Gill is leading India for the Sri Lanka Test tour. It marks a new era of captaincy for India, distinct from the Virat Kohli-led side that last toured Sri Lanka in 2017.
When did India last play a Test series in Sri Lanka?
India last toured Sri Lanka for Tests in 2017, when Virat Kohli's side won 3-0. This 2025 tour is India's first Test visit to the island in eight years.
