NEW DELHI: Ahead of the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, Indian head coach
The Indian team commenced their training at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) in Colombo on Wednesday. They are scheduled to play a three-day warm-up match against a Sri Lanka XI from August 7 to 9, prior to the first Test set to begin on August 15. The second Test will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo from August 23 to 27.
Preparation is Key
In a video message shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Gambhir addressed his players directly, urging them to be fully prepared for the series. "We know what lies ahead of us and what we are competing for. We can push our limits and ensure we are ready for any situation that arises on the field," he stated. He stressed the importance of being equipped with answers to any challenges they may face, whether batting or bowling first on the opening day.
The warm-up match is particularly crucial for the Indian side, which has faced difficulties against quality spin bowling in recent outings. Key players, including captain
Welcoming New Faces
During the team meeting, Gambhir also took the opportunity to welcome new players Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi, as well as the newly appointed fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh. He congratulated Jain on his hard work and encouraged him to make his family and country proud. Gambhir praised Nabi for his outstanding performance in the previous season, which led to a Ranji Trophy victory for Jammu and Kashmir.
To further bolster their preparations, India has enlisted four domestic spinners—Harsh Dubey, Shivang Kumar, Tanush Kotian, and Vipraj Nigam—as net bowlers to help the batters refine their skills against spin. However, the team faces injury setbacks, with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out due to a knee injury and Washington Sundar sidelined with a hamstring issue. Other players, including Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Akash Deep, are also unavailable for selection.
This two-match series is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with India currently holding a points percentage of 48.150, just above Sri Lanka, who are at 41.67.
