Padikkal Comes In as India Opt to Bat in Galle; Nuwantha Makes Sri Lanka Debut

India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first in the opening Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, with both teams looking to strengthen their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final.

Gill, winning only his third toss in nine Tests as captain, backed his batters on a Galle surface that appeared more conducive to batting than usual. The pitch had an even grass covering with no visible dry patches and was expected to offer some early assistance to seamers before settling down into better batting conditions.

India were forced into one change, with Devdutt Padikkal replacing the injured B Sai Sudharsan at No. 3. India retained a spin-heavy attack featuring three left-arm spinners, while Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna were named as the two frontline fast bowlers.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, made a surprise selection by handing a Test debut to 25-year-old offspinner Keshara Nuwantha. He was preferred ahead of experienced spinner Ramesh Mendis.

The hosts also brought in Nishan Fernando for the injured Pathum Nissanka, while wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella returned to the Test side after an absence of three years.

The match is a landmark occasion in Galle, marking the 50th Test to be played at the venue. It is also India's 600th Test match. Both teams currently sit in the middle of the World Test Championship standings and face a tough challenge to qualify for the final.

A 2-0 series sweep would give either side a realistic chance of keeping their WTC final hopes alive, making the series particularly important for both teams.

Sri Lanka XI

Lahiru Udara, Nishan Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara.

India 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.