Big blow for Sri Lanka; Kusal Mendis likely to miss first SL vs IND Test due to THIS reason
The first SL vs IND Test is scheduled to start on August 15 at Galle International Stadium.
India are all set to play a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. It is the first time since 2017 that India will travel to Sri Lanka for a Test series. The series will kick off on August 15 (Saturday) at Galle International Stadium.
The second test will be played at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, starting on August 23 (Sunday). Before the start of the series, the Men in Blue are scheduled to play a three-day warm-up game against Sri Lanka XI in Colombo from August 7 to 9.
India have not lost a test series against Sri Lanka since 2008. They will look to maintain that record and win the upcoming series.
India have already announced their squad. Shubman Gill will lead the visitors, and KL Rahul will be his deputy. However, Sri Lanka have suffered a major blow ahead of the start of the series.
Kusal Mendis is unlikely to play the first Test in Galle
Sri Lanka’s ODI and T20I captain Kusal Mendis is likely to miss the first Test against India in Galle. According to media reports, Mendis is unfit and recovering from an injury.
He is not fully fit and might not be able to play the first Test. Danushka Aravinda, a renowned Sri Lankan journalist, has posted on X and confirmed that Mendis sustained an injury during the ongoing LPL 2026 game and is recovering.
That can lead him to miss the first test. Though there is no official confirmation from the Sri Lankan Cricket Board (SLC), Mendis hasn’t featured in an LPL game since July 19.
If he gets ruled out, it will be a big blow for the visitors. Mendis is the leading run scorer for Sri Lanka in 2026 across formats. He has scored 698 runs in 21 games across formats.
Sri Lanka are fighting for a place in the final of the ongoing WTC 2025-27 cycle. They are placed sixth on the table with 41.67 PCT, while India are fifth with 48.15 PCT. This is an important series for both sides.
When will the first SL vs IND Test begin?
The first SL vs IND Test will start on August 15 in Galle.
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Karan Rawat is a seasoned cricket writer with a deep passion for the game and over 5 years of experience covering everything that the game can offer. He loves to share the analysis, match reports, and player profiles and tries to bring stories to life with a unique blend of statistics and storytelling. Whether breaking down Test match tactics or capturing the drama of a T20 thriller, Karan's work connects fans with the soul of the sport.