Prasidh Krishna likely to feature ahead of Gurnoor Brar in the first Test [Source: AFP]India are all set to resume their 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship campaign with a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The first Test will begin on Saturday, August 15, at the Galle International Stadium.The Shubman Gill-led Indian side will enter the series with a strong squad. However, playing in Sri Lanka will not be an easy task, especially with the conditions expected to help the spinners. Therefore, India will need to pick a balanced playing XI that can handle both the batting and bowling challenges.With both teams preparing for the opening Test, let us take a look at the predicted India's playing XI vs Sri Lanka.Top Order Batters: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt PadikkalKL Rahul: KL Rahul is expected to open the innings for India. The right-handed batter had a difficult South Africa series, where he managed only 68 runs across 2 matches. However, he quickly bounced back in the one-off Test against Afghanistan. Notably, Rahul scored an impressive 100 off 135 balls in that match. Moreover, he also looked comfortable during India's warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI. Therefore, India are likely to continue trusting KL Rahul at the top of the order.Yashasvi Jaiswal: Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to continue opening alongside KL Rahul. The young batter has already formed a strong partnership with Rahul and has shown that he can score quickly while also playing long innings. Notably, Yashasvi Jaiswal looked in good touch during the warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI, scoring 61 runs before retiring hurt. Therefore, he will be keen to make a bigger impact in IND vs SL series.Devdutt Padikkal: Devdutt Padikkal could get an important opportunity in the first Test after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out. The left-handed batter has been in good form in domestic cricket and also impressed during India A's tour of Sri Lanka A. Notably, Padikkal scored 173 runs in three innings during that tour. Moreover, he took his opportunity in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka XI in style, scoring an impressive 142 runs.Also Read: Mohammed Siraj To Be Benched? Shubman Gill Drops Him From Press Conference PlauditsMiddle Order & All-Rounders: Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra JadejaShubman Gill: Shubman Gill will lead India in the series and is expected to continue batting at No. 4. The captain will have two responsibilities in the series as he looks to guide the team while also producing runs himself. Notably, Gill showed encouraging signs during the warm-up match against Sri Lanka XI, scoring 44 runs. Therefore, he will be hoping to carry that confidence into 1st Test.Rishabh Pant: Rishabh Pant is expected to take the no 5 spot for India. The left-handed batter has not looked at his usual best in recent Tests against Afghanistan and South Africa. However, Pant remains a key part of India's Test team. Moreover, his ability to score quickly can put pressure on the opposition bowlers. Therefore, India are likely to continue backing Pant in the middle order.Dhruv Jurel: Dhruv Jurel is another player who could make into India’s playing XI. Although India have named Sarfaraz Khan as Sai Sudharsan's replacement, Jurel appears to be ahead in the race for a place in the XI. Notably, he impressed during India A's tour of Sri Lanka A, scoring 208 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 61.90. Therefore, his recent form could work in his favour.Ravindra Jadeja: Ravindra Jadeja is expected to return to India's playing XI after missing South Africa and Afghanistan series. It is worth mentioning that Jadeja can strengthen the lower middle order while also providing India with a reliable spin option. More importantly, his experience could prove valuable on the Galle surface. Notably, he also impressed in the tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo, where he picked up four wickets across 2 innings. Therefore, Jadeja looks almost certain to feature in 1st Test.Manav Suthar: Manav Suthar could be the surprise inclusion in India's playing XI. The young bowling all-rounder has made a strong case for himself with his recent performances. In one-off Test against Afghanistan, Suthar picked up 7 wickets while maintaining an impressive economy rate of 1.94. Therefore, his performance could encourage the team management to give him an opportunity in Sri Lanka.Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh KrishnaKuldeep Yadav: Kuldeep Yadav is expected to play a major role in India's bowling attack. The conditions in Galle are likely to favour spin, making Kuldeep an important weapon for the visitors. The wrist-spinner has also impressed in recent Test assignments against Afghanistan and South Africa. Therefore, India could rely heavily on him to break partnerships and pick up wickets in the middle and later stages of the innings.Mohammed Siraj: Mohammed Siraj is expected to lead India's pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj has plenty of experience bowling in Asian conditions and will be expected to provide India with an early breakthrough.Prasidh Krishna: Prasidh Krishna is likely to partner Siraj in the pace department. While Gurnoor Brar was expected to make his way into the playing XI after impressing in the Afghanistan ODIs, Prasidh Krishna is still expected to feature in India's playing XI, as he brings variety and extra bounce to the attack.Notably, he had a decent outing against Afghanistan and also impressed during India's 2025 tour of England. Prasidh picked up 14 wickets in six innings during that tour at an economy rate of 4.94. Therefore, India could trust him to provide the pace and bounce required alongside Siraj.India Predicted Playing XI vs Sri Lanka- 1st Test, 2026KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh KrishnaAlso Read: How Marnus Labuschagne Is Walking The Ajinkya Rahane Path In Test Cricket
