3 Indian players who could get opportunities in SL vs IND Tests
SL vs IND Test series is scheduled to start from August 15.
India are set to clash with Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series from August 15. The first Test is to be played in the Galle International Stadium, Galle. Meanwhile the second Test is scheduled to start from August 23, to be hosted by SSC Cricket Ground, Colombo.
Shubman Gill and Co. last played a red-ball game in June in the one-off Test against Afghanistan. India won the match handsomely by an innings and 300 runs. However, this Test was not a part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle.
India played against a full-member nation back in November 2025, against South Africa. India were whitewashed 2-0 by the visitors. This severely dented India’s chances for the ICC WTC Final qualification.
Moreover, many Indian cricketers are at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) recovering from major injuries. Test regulars like Sai Sudharsan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar and Nitish Reddy are under rehabilitation.
Amidst the WTC final qualification and the loads of injuries, India will tour Sri Lanka in mid-August. There are chances of some players replacing these injured Test regulars in the side for Sri Lanka.
The BCCI selection committee is likely to announce the squad for the Tests on Tuesday. Here is a list of players who could get a nod for this tour.
3 players who can be in the squad for Test series against Sri Lanka
3. Gurnoor Brar
Gurnoor Brar earned his maiden Test call-up ahead of the one-off Test against Afghanistan, but was not in the playing XI. He later debuted for India in ODIs in June 2026 against them. Brar has impressed the selectors with his consistency, speeds, and relentlessness.
The 26-year-old has been in India’s Test plans for some time now. This reflects with his selection for India A tours. Recently, he featured in the Unofficial Tests against Sri Lanka. Brar played the second Test and claimed 10 wickets in the two innings, helping India A win the match.
There are no updates regarding the availability of Jasprit Bumrah. In his absence, Brar could get a chance.
2. Auqib Nabi
Auqib Nabi was the highest wicket-taker and the Player of the Tournament in the Ranji Trophy 2025-26. He was instrumental to Jammu & Kashmir’s maiden Ranji victory. Nabi claimed 60 wickets in 17 innings, at a staggering average of 12.65.
His 7 five-wicket hauls in the tournament, including 5/54 in the Final against Karnataka were crucial to J&K’s trophy win. He registered his best figures against Madhya Pradesh in the quarter-final picking 12 wickets in the match.
Shortly after, Nabi was selected in the India A squad for the Unofficial Tests in Sri Lanka. Here, he claimed 6 wickets in two matches, with an average of 25. He also possesses batting ability at No.8 and has two half-centuries in First Class cricket.
1. Devdutt Padikkal
Devdutt Padikkal debuted for India in Tests against England in 2024. He has played only two Tests so far. After the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, he was not picked in the Test side until the South Africa Tests in 2025. However, he is yet to get a game since 2024.
Padikkal had a brilliant campaign at the Ranji Trophy 2025-26 where he amassed 532 runs in five matches, at an average of 66.5. This includes a scintillating century against Punjab in a must-win game. In the semi-final against Uttarakhand, he hit his maiden double century scoring 232 guiding Karnataka to the Final, while batting at No.3.
With the injury and likely unavailability of Sai Sudharsan for Sri Lanka Tests, Devdutt is most likely set to replace him in the team at No.3. This series would be crucial for Devdutt as he is yet to get his fair share of chances in the Indian Test side.
This series is vital for India’s WTC final qualification. India are currently ranked fifth in the points table, with Sri Lanka close sixth.
When will the squad for Test series against Sri Lanka be declared?
The squad for Test series against Sri Lanka will most likely be declared on Tuesday.
When is the first SL vs IND Test?
The first SL vs IND Test will start from August 15.
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Cricket runs in the blood of Indians — and that’s something she truly believes in. A law student with a lifelong connection to the game, she has followed cricket passionately since his school days. Like countless young fans, she first experienced the sport on the field before deepening his understanding through constant watching, reading, and conversations around the game. Writing became a natural extension of that passion, bringing a “Pavilion Perspective” to his work — capturing how fans experience matches through their own lens.