Sri Lanka vs India, Second Test: A Clash of Form and Strategy

Sri Lanka will face India in the second Test of their 2026 series on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. India currently holds a 1-0 lead in the series after their dominant performance in the first Test.

Sri Lanka encountered difficulties in the opening Test, with India excelling across all aspects of the game. The hosts did find some bright spots, as Sonal Dinusha accumulated 184 runs across both innings, while Prabath Jayasuriya took seven wickets. However, the majority of the team struggled against India’s strong attack and will aim to rebound and tie the series.

India, in contrast, had a standout display in the first Test. Devdutt Padikkal’s 211 runs for India and Manav Suthar’s 10-wicket haul were pivotal. The Indian side will seek to sustain their momentum, complete a series whitewash, and improve their standing in the World Test Championship 2025-27 points table.

Match Details

Match
Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd Test, India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026

Date and Time (IST)
August 23-27, 2026, 10:00 AM

Venue
Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo

Broadcast and Live Streaming
Sony Sports Network Channels and SonyLIV (App & Website)

Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo: Pitch Report

The SSC pitch is anticipated to provide a balanced contest between bat and ball. It typically offers good batting conditions early on, with pace and bounce that allow set batters to score freely. Fast bowlers might gain some assistance from the new ball, especially if there is moisture. For this Test, Sri Lanka is expected to maintain a balanced surface rather than preparing a spin-friendly track, similar to the conditions at Galle in the first Test.

Head-to-Head Record in Tests

Matches Played
47

Won by SL
07

Won by IND
23

Drawn/No Result
17

First-ever Fixture
September 17, 1982 (Match Drawn)

Most recent Fixture
August 15, 2026 (Won by IND)

Predicted Playing 11s

Sri Lanka

Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

India

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj

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