Sri Lanka’s Predicted Playing XI vs India- 1st Test 2026

Dhananjaya de Silva - (Source: AFP)

On Saturday, August 15, the much-anticipated two-match Test series between Sri Lanka and India will kick off at the Galle International Stadium. The Shubman Gill-led side have travelled to the Island nation for their first red-ball series since 2017.

The upcoming series is equally important for both teams from a WTC point of view. The Hosts are placed 6th on the table, while India are a place above them on 5th. Further, Sri Lanka have not won a Test series against India since 2008 and are eyeing their maiden Test win in over 11 years.

India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test preview

For India, they have a long list of injured players. The Shubman Gill-led side are without the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Sai Sudharsan, and Washington Sundar. Hence, there are a lot of selection headaches, but the squad depth makes it easy for the team management.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, waited for the practice match to get over to announce their squad for the 1st Test. Niroshan Dickwella has returned to the side as the Island Nation are also without Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka for the opening Test.

The likes of Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Dilshan Madushanka have been recalled to the squad. Therefore, this article will shed light on Sri Lanka’s predicted playing XI vs India for the 1st Test.

Top-Order: Nishan Madhushka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal

Nishan Madhushka: The 26-year-old opener will open the innings as he has been in tremendous form recently. Madhushka scored 256 runs in 4 innings during Sri Lanka 4-Day tournament and also shone against India during the recent warm-up match.

Playing for Sri Lanka XI, Nishan Madhushka scored twin fifties and averaged 64.50 in that match.

Lahiru Udara: Lahiru Udara will open the innings alongside Nishan Madhushka. The 32-year-old is fresh off a brilliant LPL, where he scored 434 runs in 9 innings, averaging 54.25. Further, Udara is also doing well in red-ball cricket.

In the recently concluded Test series against West Indies, Udara played a brilliant 188-run knock. However, it was followed by a duck.

Dinesh Chandimal: Dinesh Chandimal loves playing against India. The 36-year-old averages 50 against India in Tests and has been doing great in Tests recently. He has consistently averaged 40+ in Tests in the last four years.

Middle Order: Pasindu Sooriyabandu, Kamindu Mendis, Dhanajaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella

Pasindu Sooriyabandu: Sri Lanka might hand a debut to Pasindu Sooriyabandu. The 26-year-old has been doing brilliantly in domestic circuit. He has 4893 runs in First-Class Cricket, averaging 54.36. He was also part of recently concluded Warm-up match.

Kamindu Mendis: Kamindu Mendis will be there. The star all-rounder will be helpful with his spin in Galle. He scored 137 runs in 4 innings against West Indies.

Dhanajaya de Silva: Sri Lanka skipper will bat at No. 5. The 34-year-old also had a great West Indies tour, where he slammed a century and amassed 187 runs in 4 innings. Notably, de Silva will also roll his arms in the upcoming Test against India.

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Niroshan Dickwella: Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series, which is why Sri Lanka have picked Niroshan Dickwella in the team. Dickwella's last Test appearance came in March 2023 and is expected to make a stunning return to the team after 3 years.

Bowlers: Sonal Dinushka, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabhath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando

Sonal Dinushka: Sonal Dinushka had a great West Indies tour, scoring 175 runs in 4 innings and also taking 3 wickets with the ball. The 25-year-old also slammed a fifty against India in warm-up match, which is why he will play in the 1st Test at Galle.

Keshara Nuwantha: Keshara Nuwantha has been doing well for himself as he picked up 9 wickets in 3 innings during Sri Lanka 4-Day tournament. Keshara was also part of India A vs Sri Lanka A unofficial Tests, picking up 5 wickets in 2 innings.

Prabhath Jayasuriya: Prabhath Jayasuriya will be the key figure for Sri Lanka. The left-arm spinner is quickest Sri Lankan bowler to reach both 50 and 100 Test wickets in Sri Lanka. With 12 five-wicket haul in Test, Jayasuriya will be India's biggest threat in the 1st Test.

Asitha Fernando: Sri Lanka require a seamer and Asitha Fernando seems to be ahead of everyone in the pecking order. The right-arm seamer took 7 wickets in 3 innings, which includes a five-wicket haul.