India's Test Series in Sri Lanka Scheduled for August

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday announced the schedule for India's two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, with both matches set to be played in August as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. The first Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle from August 15 to 19. The second Test will take place at the Singhalese Sports Club in Colombo from August 23 to 27.

The series will be India's first Test tour of Sri Lanka since 2017. On that tour, India, led by Virat Kohli, won the three-match series 3-0. The upcoming two-Test contest will also be India's first assignment in Sri Lanka in the current World Test Championship cycle. Both teams will be looking to begin their campaign with valuable points in the 2025-27 WTC standings. India, who have made two finals but never won the WTC title, are currently fifth in the standings, while Sri Lanka are sixth.

India will also tour New Zealand this year for a two-match Test series in November-December. India had begun the Shubman Gill captaincy era with a commendable 2-2 draw in England before winning the home series against the West Indies. However, the mighty hosts were whitewashed by South Africa at home last year, raising serious questions over the batters' ability to play spin. The Sri Lankan spinners in their own backyard will provide another stiff challenge to the Indian batters.