ㅤ
Colombo: Team India is still recovering from the shock of a few humiliating Test defeats suffered over the past one and a half years, and the Sri Lanka tour has already begun with a setback. Captain Shubman Gill was ruled out of the opening day of the three-day practice match against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI after sustaining a finger injury.
ㅤ
Gill injured the ring finger of his right hand during a practice session in Colombo on Thursday afternoon.
Gill Could Still Feature in the Match
Vice-captain KL Rahul is leading the Indian team in the only practice match of the tour. The BCCI stated that, as a precautionary measure, Gill has not taken the field on the opening day. Since this is a warm-up fixture, he remains eligible to play on the second and third days. However, a decision on whether he will feature on Saturday and Sunday will be taken later.
India and Sri Lanka will play a two-Test series, with the first Test scheduled to begin in Galle on August 15 and the second Test in Colombo from August 23.
How Did the Practice Match Begin?
Sri Lanka Cricket XI won the toss and elected to bat in the practice match against Team India. The hosts are being led by spin all-rounder Gamage Sonal Dinusha. Openers Nishan Fernando and Ravindu Rasantha gave Sri Lanka a solid start. At the end of the 22nd over, the hosts were 112 for 1.
Geared 🆙 for Match Day!
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 7, 2026
All set for the multi-day warm-up match against SLC XI starting today 👌👌#TeamIndia | #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/0V6zPjYiyH
India’s bowling attack included Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Ravindra Jadeja, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar. India’s only wicket came through a run-out.