India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Shubman Gill’s new-look Indian side will begin a fresh chapter in Test cricket when they take on Dhananjaya de Silva-led Sri Lanka in Galle. India will be without premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, while Sri Lanka will miss key players Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis due to injuries.
The first Test carries additional significance as it will be India’s 600th Test match. Galle will also host its 50th Test, making it the Asian venue with the most Test matches. India currently sits fifth in the WTC standings, while Sri Lanka occupies sixth place, adding further importance to the contest.
India’s last Test tour of Sri Lanka came in 2017, when the visitors completed a dominant 3-0 series sweep. However, the Indian side has since undergone a major transition following the retirements of Test veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with Shubman Gill now leading the team.
The Galle surface is expected to offer good batting conditions during the first couple of days before assisting spinners as the match progresses. The venue’s location close to the sea also means crosswinds could influence the contest, particularly when the spinners are operating.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2026: Match Details
Tournament: India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026
Match: Sri Lanka vs India, 1st Test
Date: Saturday, August 15 to Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM IST
Venue: Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle
WTC: ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027
India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test LIVE Streaming: Where To Watch The Match In Different Countries
Where to watch the India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test in India?
The India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network, with coverage available across multiple languages. Fans can also watch the match on DD Sports if they are accessing the channel through DD Free Dish.
TV Broadcast:
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English: Sony Sports Ten 5 / Sony Sports Ten 5 HD
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Hindi: Sony Sports Ten 3 / Sony Sports Ten 3 HD
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Tamil and Telugu: Sony Sports Ten 4 / Sony Sports Ten 4 HD
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Free TV Option: DD Sports for DD Free Dish viewers
Live Streaming: Sony Liv digital coverage
Where to watch the India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test in the United Kingdom?
Fans in the United Kingdom can watch the first Test live on TNT Sports, while digital streaming will be available through discovery+ and the TNT Sports App.
Where to watch in the USA?
Cricket fans in the United States can watch the India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test on Willow TV. Live streaming will also be available through the Willow TV app and website.
Where to watch in Australia?
Fans in Australia can watch the match on Fox Cricket and Foxtel, while live streaming will be available through Kayo Sports and Foxtel Now.
Where to watch in South Africa?
Viewers in South Africa can watch the first Test on SuperSport Cricket. Online streaming will be available through DStv Stream and the SuperSport App.
Where to watch in New Zealand?
Fans in New Zealand can follow the first Test through Cricbuzz, which has exclusive digital access according to the provided broadcaster details. No TV broadcast link has been provided.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2026: Both Teams Squads
India Squad: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill (Captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Auqib Nabi, Dhruv Jurel, Gurnoor Brar, Saransh Jain.
Sri Lanka Squad: Nishan Madushka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Sonal Dinusha, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Keshara Nuwantha.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2026: Probable Playing XIs
India (Probable XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (Captain), Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna/Gurnoor Brar.
Sri Lanka (Probable XI): Nishan Madushka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (Captain), Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Sonal Dinusha, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando.
