India and Sri Lanka will renew their Test rivalry in Galle under circumstances that are very different from their previous encounters. The first Test carries added significance, with India set to play their 600th Test while Galle becomes the first Asian venue to host 50 Tests.

When India last toured Sri Lanka for a Test series in 2017, they were at the height of a dominant period and overwhelmed the hosts 3-0. The conditions suited India's powerful spin attack, with the pitches offering bounce and consistent turn. India's spinners outperformed Sri Lanka's attack, despite the presence of legendary left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

Much has changed since then. India are now in transition, while Sri Lanka have had limited opportunities to play Test cricket. India have played only one Test so far this year, while Sri Lanka have featured in just two Tests over the past 13 months. Over the last eight years, Sri Lanka have played only two Test series longer than two matches.

India's recent struggles at home have also made this contest less predictable. Having lost two of their last three home series, India enter the series without the overwhelming advantage they might traditionally have carried into Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, they have won each of their last five Tests in the country.

Both sides have plenty at stake in the World Test Championship. India are looking to recover from recent series defeats against South Africa and New Zealand, while Sri Lanka will be hoping their spinners can exploit home conditions and put India under pressure.

Sri Lanka's best opportunity could come from batting first and building a substantial total before the pitch begins to offer greater assistance to spin. With Pathum Nissanka unavailable, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal are expected to shoulder much of the responsibility with the bat.

Jadeja and Jayasuriya in the Spotlight

India's Ravindra Jadeja is expected to play a central role in the visitors' bowling attack. With R Ashwin retired, Mohammed Shami not considered ready for Test cricket and Jasprit Bumrah ruled out through injury, Jadeja has emerged as the senior figure in India's attack.

At 37, Jadeja has been carefully managed in the shorter formats to preserve his effectiveness in Tests. His ability to bowl long spells and contribute with the bat could prove decisive in Galle.

For Sri Lanka, much will depend on Prabath Jayasuriya. The left-arm spinner is the country's leading Test wicket-taker this decade and has an impressive record at home, including 11 five-wicket hauls and two ten-wicket matches in 14 Tests. However, his home average of 27.26 leaves room for improvement, and Sri Lanka will need him to strike regularly against India's strong batting line-up.

Dickwella Returns as Sri Lanka Finalise Combination

Sri Lanka are expected to recall wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella, who last played a Test in 2023. His experience has earned him a place ahead of younger wicketkeeping options who have performed strongly in domestic cricket.

Sri Lanka are likely to select two seamers and three spinners, with Sonal Dinusha providing additional batting depth.

Sri Lanka probable XI: Lahiru Igalagamage, Nishan Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara.

India are also expected to rely on three left-arm spinners, with Kuldeep Yadav returning to the Test XI. His selection is largely a result of the conditions and team combination, after spending an extended period on the sidelines across formats.

Devdutt Padikkal is expected to replace the injured B Sai Sudharsan, while Dhruv Jurel could come into the side as a specialist batter.

India probable XI: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

Galle Pitch Expected to Be Different

The traditional Galle turner may not be on offer this time. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva said the pitch is expected to be more favourable to batting, with persistent rain preventing the surface from drying in the usual manner.

“This is a slightly different pitch from others we've played on in the past,” de Silva said. “I think it will be good for batters.”

The additional moisture could provide some movement early in the match, making the toss particularly important. The expectation remains that the team batting first will have the best opportunity to score heavily if it can negotiate the initial movement.

Weather could remain a major factor throughout the Test, with more rain than usual forecast for this time of year.

Dickwella Chasing an Unwanted Record

Niroshan Dickwella's return also brings an unusual statistic into focus. He has scored 22 Test half-centuries without registering a century, the most half-centuries by any player without a Test hundred.

His 2,757 Test runs without a century rank second for most runs without a hundred, behind only Shane Warne.

With both teams needing a 2-0 series victory to remain realistically in contention for the World Test Championship final, the series represents an important opportunity for both sides.

India captain Shubman Gill has set a clear target, saying India need to win around six or seven of their remaining Tests to give themselves a strong chance of reaching next year's final.

“This is a very important series for us, and we have had the right kind of preparation for this series,” Gill said.

For Dhananjaya de Silva, the occasion carries a personal significance as well as a historic one for Sri Lankan cricket.

“When you think about Test cricket in Sri Lanka the first thing that you think of is the Galle ground,” he said. “I'm very happy to be captaining Sri Lanka in the 50th Test here.”

With India searching for consistency and Sri Lanka looking to make the most of rare Test opportunities, the opening match promises a contest shaped not only by spin and conditions, but also by two teams trying to establish themselves in a changing Test landscape.

NEWS

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