India Stars Who Will Be Desperate To Make A Mark In Warm-Up Match On Sri Lanka Tour 2026

Several Indian players will be under pressure during warm up game [Source: AFP]

India will take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series that could potentially define their future in the ongoing WTC cycle. India have been languishing in the WTC table, and the side will aim to beat the Lankan Lions to stay alive in the final race.

However, before the Test series begins on August 15 at Galle, India will play a practice game, starting on August 7. The visitors will play a three-day warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka XI to prepare for the Test series.

The upcoming warm-up game is of utmost importance to all the Indian players in the squad, as it will allow them to get the best preparation for the Test series. Several players, who have been in the firing line, need to deliver the goods in the game, and in this article, we take a look at the Indian players for whom the practice match is crucial.

1) Devdutt Padikkal

With Sai Sudharsan injured and still not having joined the squad, India have a number 3 problem ahead of the first Test match. Sudharsan would have played the first Test match, but now his participation hangs in jeopardy.

India would have to replace him with Devdutt Padikkal, and the warm-up fixture holds utmost importance for the Karnataka batter. He has been in and out of the team, and the Test series provides Padikkal a chance to cement his place as India’s permanent number 3.

If Padikkal fails to deliver the goods, he’ll head into the Test series low on confidence. Moreover, if he fails to score runs, India do have a back-up plan ready.

Both Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel (the two keepers) can play in the playing XI, and the management can play Jurel at 3 and Pant at 5. In that case, Padikkal might not get a place in the XI. Hence, the three-day fixture is vital for Padikkal’s future.

2) Kuldeep Yadav

For some reason, India have excluded Kuldeep Yadav from their ODI and T20I playing XIs. He has performed consistently, but the wily spinner has been out of the playing XI for quite some time now.

For the Sri Lanka series, India have picked up four spinners, with Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep, Manav Suthar, and Saransh Jain in the squad. However, judging by the conditions, India would go in with three proper spinners.

Also Read: Why Kuldeep Yadav Is Irreplaceable In ODIs As India Enters Road To 2027 World Cup?

The warm-up fixture gives Kuldeep a chance to redeem himself. If he takes wickets against Sri Lanka A, he’ll be included in the playing XI for the first Test. However, if he fails, the management could be tempted to go in with Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, and Ravindra Jadeja as their three main spinners.

3) Yashasvi Jaiswal

Irrespective of what happens in the practice match, Yashasvi Jaiswal will retain his place as India’s opener in the Test series against Sri Lanka. However, since the start of 2025, his Test numbers have dipped, and Jaiswal will need some runs under his belt before he takes on the Lankan Lions.

(Jaiswal Test stats since 2025)

• In 11 Tests since 2025, Jaiswal has racked up 769 runs, with an average of 38.45. The average has dropped in the last two years, and hence, the Indian opener would hope he can score runs in the practice game to get his mojo back.
• Moreover, India doesn’t have a backup opener to replace him, so the management would hope Jaiswal can be amongst the run-getters against Sri Lanka A.

4) Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj has the same case as Kuldeep Yadav. For some reason, he has been out of the ODI scheme of things and is only utilised in Tests.

With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out, Siraj is expected to be the leader of the Indian bowling attack vs Sri Lanka, but if he falters in the warm-up game, his confidence would be at an all-time low.

Siraj thrives on confidence, and the pacer would hope that he can be amongst the wicket-takers against Sri Lanka A. Moreover, India has Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi waiting in the wings, so if he fails, they could be used in the Test series.

Also Read: PCB Threatens Pakistan Stars With Possible Ban For Violating ICC Protocol