Shubman Gill won the toss and opted to bat first as India’s opening Test against Sri Lanka began at Galle International Stadium on Saturday.
India’s XI includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, captain Gill, Devdutt Padikkal, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna.
Sri Lanka named Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, captain Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando in their XI.
Gill’s participation had been in doubt after a finger injury during training in Colombo, but he recovered sufficiently to lead the side.
Play began at 10:00 am IST, with India looking to build a strong total on a fresh Galle pitch.
The Test is also significant as the 50th to be played at the Galle International Stadium.
This is the two-match series opener, with the second and final Test to follow, as Sri Lanka and India resume Test cricket ties in what is a milestone 50th Test staged at the Galle International Stadium.
Galle International Stadium, set beside the historic Galle Fort on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, is regarded as one of the most picturesque Test venues in world cricket and has traditionally offered assistance to spinners as matches progress.
India’s line-up for the Test includes Dhruv Jurel and Manav Suthar, both part of a young squad being built around Gill’s captaincy as India transitions its Test leadership.
Sri Lanka’s playing XI is led by Dhananjaya de Silva, with wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella and spinner Prabath Jayasuriya among the key figures named in the home side’s line-up.
Gill’s finger injury, sustained during a training session in Colombo before the tour’s warm-up match, had put his availability for the Test series in doubt, though he was cleared to lead the side after a gradual return to batting practice.
Photo by Price Zero, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
