India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando have each been fined 25% of their match fees following an on-field confrontation during the opening day of the second Test in Colombo on Sunday. Both players were also handed one demerit point for what the International Cricket Council (ICC) described as "inappropriate physical contact." The incident occurred after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal with the final delivery of the 17th over on the first morning. As Jaiswal began walking back towards the dressing room, he turned and moved towards Fernando, apparently reacting to words exchanged during Sri Lanka's celebratory huddle. According to the ICC, the two players exchanged words before Fernando moved his head towards Jaiswal. Jaiswal then leaned forward, resulting in contact between their heads. Television footage appeared to indicate that Jaiswal initiated the physical contact, having turned around and walked towards Fernando. The Sri Lankan bowler also took a step towards the dismissed batter but did not move away when Jaiswal leaned his helmeted head towards him. The ICC determined that both players had breached Article 2.12 of its Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to inappropriate physical contact with another player or match official. Neither Jaiswal nor Fernando had committed a similar offence resulting in a demerit point during the previous 24 months. As a Level 1 offence, the breach carries a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50% of the match fee, along with one or two demerit points. Jaiswal scored 45 off 53 deliveries before Fernando dismissed him with India on 66 for 2 after the visitors had elected to bat first. Fernando went on to play a key role in Sri Lanka's efforts, also dismissing Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja as India reached 300 for 5 by the close of play. India lead the two-Test series 1-0 after securing a 165-run victory over Sri Lanka in the opening Test in Galle.

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant is expected to return to the crease in India's first innings after retiring hurt with a left-wrist injury on the opening day of the Test at the SSC. Pant was attempting to pull a 133kph short delivery from Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru Kumara over deep backward square leg when the ball struck the wrist of his bottom hand. Although he did not initially appear to be in significant pain, Pant received medical attention for several minutes before walking off unbeaten on 3 off 15 deliveries. The wicketkeeper was later seen in the dugout and dressing room and even padded up during the closing stages of the day's play. However, he was not required to return to the crease. India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak offered a positive update after play, saying Pant "should be fine" to continue. He also indicated that the 27-year-old remained among the batters India were expecting to rely on to push the innings forward on the second day. If Pant continues to experience discomfort, India have two alternative wicketkeeping options in the playing XI. Dhruv Jurel, who normally bats at No. 7, is the most likely candidate to take over behind the stumps. KL Rahul can also keep wicket, although India are unlikely to want to add to the workload of their opening batter. Kuldeep Yadav Missed Colombo Test Due to Viral Fever Kotak also confirmed that Kuldeep Yadav was unavailable for the Colombo Test because he was suffering from viral fever when he left Galle. Kuldeep's absence had sparked speculation that India had opted to leave him out because the conditions favoured finger spin. India handed a debut to offspin-bowling allrounder Saransh Jain and also stated that Kuldeep could be used as a concussion substitute if required. Kotak rejected suggestions that the illness was being used as an excuse to leave Kuldeep out of the XI. "When he left [Galle], he was genuinely having viral [fever]," Kotak said, stressing that there was no reason for India to "fake" an illness. He added that Kuldeep had recovered reasonably well and looked in good condition when they met in the evening, but the spinner was still unavailable for the Test. Sri Lanka's Left-Handers Influenced Selection According to Kotak, Kuldeep's unavailability, combined with Sri Lanka's batting line-up, played a role in India's decision to hand Jain his debut. Sri Lanka had four left-handers among their top seven, prompting India to consider the advantages of playing an offspinner. The management ultimately opted for three spinners rather than relying on an additional pace option. "He has recovered reasonably well. He looked good when I met him in the evening and, obviously, he wasn't available for the match," Kotak said. He added that, with Sri Lanka having four left-handers in their top seven, "probably it makes sense to play an off spinner." India will now monitor Pant's wrist ahead of the second day's play while hoping their first-choice wicketkeeper is fit enough to resume his innings.

India won the toss and elected to bat first against Sri Lanka in the second and final Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo. Sri Lanka are looking to level the two-match series after India took the lead in the opening Test. India captain Shubman Gill had no hesitation in choosing to bat first, while Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva admitted he would have made the same decision. With some cloud cover and a hint of grass on the surface, Sri Lanka will hope to exploit any early movement with the ball. India made one change to their playing XI, handing a Test debut to offspinner Saransh Jain, who replaces Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep was ruled unavailable after failing to recover from a viral illness. Sri Lanka have also made changes, with Kamil Mishara receiving his Test debut after an impressive run of form in white-ball cricket. Pasindu Sooriyabandara has also been included after his brief appearance as a concussion substitute in the first Test. The weather in Colombo began bright and sunny, although rain is forecast during the match. Hot and humid conditions are expected, which could make the SSC pitch increasingly dry and spin-friendly as the Test progresses. The Colombo surface is traditionally known to offer assistance to spinners as the game develops. Sri Lanka Playing XI Lahiru Udara Kamil Mishara Kamindu Mendis Dhananjaya de Silva (capt.) Sonal Dinusha Pasindu Sooriyabandara Niroshan Dickwella (wk) Keshara Nuwantha Prabath Jayasuriya Asitha Fernando Lahiru Kumara India Playing XI KL Rahul Yashasvi Jaiswal Devdutt Padikkal Shubman Gill (capt.) Rishabh Pant (wk) Dhruv Jurel Ravindra Jadeja Manav Suthar Saransh Jain Mohammed Siraj Prasidh Krishna With both teams introducing debutants, the Colombo Test promises to be a closely contested encounter, particularly as the pitch is expected to offer increasing assistance to spin as the match progresses.

Sri Lanka will look to their spin attack to step up when they face India in the second Test at the SSC, with the hosts needing a much-improved performance to keep their hopes of drawing the series alive. Sri Lanka’s struggles at home against the major Test nations have continued in recent years. They have not won a series against India, England or Australia for a decade, while their last Test victory over India came in 2015. Since then, Sri Lanka have lost nine Tests and drawn two against their neighbours. A major reason for the decline has been the difficulty in replacing Rangana Herath. Following his retirement, Sri Lanka have struggled to produce a spinner—or a pair of spinners—capable of consistently outperforming opposition attacks on spin-friendly home pitches. That weakness was exposed in the first Test in Galle, where Prabath Jayasuriya and debutant Keshara Nuwantha were outperformed by India’s trio of Manav Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. Suthar, in particular, impressed on debut with his control, variations and ability to extract natural assistance from the surface. The toss could again prove crucial in Colombo. In Galle, the conditions changed dramatically across the five days, with batting becoming increasingly difficult as the match progressed. Sri Lanka will be desperate to win the toss on Sunday and make the most of the better batting conditions expected early in the game. India, meanwhile, enter the Test with confidence after a comprehensive performance in Galle. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna showed that India’s pace attack can also make an impact in Sri Lankan conditions, while their three-pronged spin attack remains a major strength. India will also be encouraged by the prospect of a result at the SSC, despite the venue traditionally offering less assistance to fast bowlers. After their strong showing in the opening Test, anything short of another victory will likely be viewed as a disappointment for the visitors. Sri Lanka hit by injury problems Sri Lanka have been forced into several changes because of injuries and selection decisions. Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have not recovered, while Dinesh Chandimal has been ruled out after suffering a concussion. Nishan Madushka and spinner Ramesh Mendis have also been left out, paving the way for Kamil Mishara to make his Test debut. Pasindu Sooriyabandara is expected to receive another opportunity after an unfortunate debut in Galle. He came in as a substitute for the concussed Chandimal and was dismissed with his first ball, although he had earlier taken a fine catch before Chandimal was officially ruled out. Sonal Dinusha is another player Sri Lanka will hope can make an impact. The batting all-rounder looked comfortable against India’s spinners in Galle and narrowly missed out on scoring centuries in both innings. His composure could encourage Sri Lanka to move him higher up the order. Suthar makes immediate impact India’s decision to hand Manav Suthar a prominent role has already paid dividends. The young spinner bowled before Jadeja in both innings in Galle and made an immediate impression by taking a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket. Suthar demonstrated excellent control, bowled long spells and varied his pace and seam position as the pitch began to offer more turn. His ability to adapt quickly will be closely watched as he faces a different challenge at the SSC. Kuldeep Yadav, meanwhile, remains under scrutiny after taking just one wicket in his comeback Test. Although he produced threatening spells, he was at times the least effective of India’s three spinners. With a Test average of just over 23, Kuldeep's quality is unquestioned, but his limited opportunities have raised questions about his rhythm and match sharpness. India are expected to give him another opportunity in Colombo. India eye another victory India’s probable XI is expected to remain largely unchanged, with KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opening the batting, followed by Devdutt Padikkal and captain Shubman Gill. Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja provide further batting depth, while Suthar and Kuldeep are expected to lead the spin attack alongside Siraj and Krishna. The weather forecast suggests better conditions than those seen in Galle, although rain remains a possibility. The Colombo pitch is expected to be drier, with some grass offering the fast bowlers at least a visual encouragement. For Sri Lanka, the challenge is clear: their spinners must find a way to match India’s attack. For India, the objective is equally straightforward—finish the series with another victory and strengthen their position in the World Test Championship. The second Test therefore carries very different stakes for the two teams. Sri Lanka are fighting to avoid another home series defeat, while India have the opportunity to underline their dominance and keep their WTC campaign firmly on track. Key statistics Yashasvi Jaiswal will play his 31st Test, with all 31 appearances coming at different venues. Six of Devdutt Padikkal’s 10 first-class centuries have been scores of 150 or more. Sri Lanka last defeated India in a Test in 2015. India have won nine and drawn two Tests against Sri Lanka since that victory.

Sri Lanka have made four changes to their squad for the second Test against India in Colombo, bringing in uncapped duo Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige after their heavy defeat in the opening match in Galle. The hosts will also be without experienced batter Dinesh Chandimal, who has been ruled out after suffering a neck injury during the first Test. Nishan Madushka, spin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis and left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka have also been left out of the trimmed 14-member squad. Mishara rewarded for strong run of form Mishara has earned his first Test call-up after an impressive period across formats. The left-hand batter scored 411 runs in 10 matches during the recent Lanka Premier League, while he produced another outstanding performance for Nondescripts Cricket Club in the Major League T20, smashing 145 from 72 balls. His strongest recent red-ball performance came for Sri Lanka A against New Zealand A in April, when he scored 174 from 168 deliveries in an innings victory. Mishara's left-handed batting could also be particularly useful against India's left-arm spin duo of Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja, who caused significant problems for Sri Lanka in the first Test. He is expected to open alongside Lahiru Udara in the second Test. Arachchige adds batting and offspin options Sahan Arachchige is another player rewarded for his recent white-ball form. The batting allrounder scored 240 runs across 10 innings in the LPL and recently struck an unbeaten 61 from 27 balls for NCC in the Major League T20. Arachchige also provides an offspin option, having taken 63 wickets in 85 first-class matches. He has contributed heavily with the bat in the longer format as well, scoring 4,365 first-class runs at an average of 37.95. His most recent first-class appearance came against India A in July, when he captained Sri Lanka A and scored an impressive 127 from 207 balls. Competition for Chandimal's spot Arachchige's selection puts him in contention to replace Chandimal in the middle order alongside Pasindu Sooriyabandara. Sooriyabandara made his Test debut in the first match after coming into the XI as a concussion substitute. Although he was dismissed for a first-ball duck, his impressive first-class record remains a strong argument in his favour. Since making his debut in 2018, he has scored 4,893 first-class runs at an average of 53.76. Sri Lanka are likely to retain much of their batting order from the opening Test, with Mishara the most likely addition at the top and Arachchige competing for a middle-order role. Bowling combination remains largely unchanged Keshara Nuwantha impressed on debut in Galle and is expected to retain his place alongside experienced spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. There could, however, be a change to the pace attack. Lahiru Kumara completed the first Test without an injury but bowled only 18 overs across the match. With fast-bowling allrounder Milan Rathnayaka available, Sri Lanka could opt for the additional batting depth he offers while leaving out Kumara. Sri Lanka's selection options are also affected by the absence of two established batters. Kusal Mendis remains unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury during the early stages of the LPL, while Pathum Nissanka is recovering from wrist surgery performed in June. Sri Lanka squad for second Test Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis (vice-captain), Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando With India taking a commanding lead from the first Test, Sri Lanka will be hoping their new faces can provide the spark needed to level the series in Colombo.

Manav Suthar produced a match-winning bowling performance as India defeated Sri Lanka by 165 runs in Galle, sealing a hard-fought victory on a slow, challenging pitch. India, after posting 462 in their first innings and 193 in the second, bowled Sri Lanka out for 284 and 206 respectively. Suthar was the star with the ball, claiming 10 wickets in the match, including 4 for 76 in the first innings and an outstanding 6 for 55 in the second. Sri Lanka began the final day needing 371 runs for victory, but India required just six wickets to complete the win. Overnight batters Sonal Dinusha and Dhananjaya de Silva offered strong resistance, putting together a determined partnership and taking Sri Lanka closer to the target. Dhananjaya brought up a half-century before Ravindra Jadeja broke the stand. The left-arm spinner first beat his outside edge with a sharply turning delivery before slowing the next ball, prompting Dhananjaya to top-edge a sweep. Dinusha continued to frustrate India and came within 16 runs of scoring a second century of the match. However, his dismissal in the 76th over triggered a dramatic collapse. Suthar went around the wicket and bowled one outside leg, with the extra bounce taking the ball straight to the only close catcher at leg gully. From there, the young spinner took complete control. He claimed three more wickets in just 10 balls, finishing with figures of 6 for 55. His final wickets also demonstrated his growing range as a bowler. Instead of relying solely on big turn and overspin, Suthar bowled quicker deliveries with a square seam, finding the inside edge and stumps. Sri Lanka's middle order had shown considerable resilience throughout the Test. Dinusha scored 100 in the first innings and 84 in the second, while Niroshan Dickwella contributed an aggressive 80 in the first innings. Despite their efforts, India's disciplined bowling attack eventually proved too strong. Jadeja also played a crucial role, taking three wickets in Sri Lanka's first innings and adding another in the second. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna provided valuable control with the pace attack, while Kuldeep Yadav continued to work towards finding his best rhythm. India's batting effort was led by Devdutt Padikkal, who scored a superb 167 in the first innings, while KL Rahul contributed 82. Rishabh Pant top-scored in the second innings with a counter-attacking 66. The victory will be particularly encouraging for India's young and transitioning side, which had struggled in recent series in spin-friendly conditions. Despite interruptions from poor weather and a difficult pitch, India maintained their composure and showed the patience required to force a result. Suthar's ten-wicket haul, in only his second Test, was the defining performance of the match. His ability to combine conventional spin with subtle variations suggests he could become an important part of India's bowling attack in the years ahead. With Sri Lanka's final wicket falling before the second new ball was even required, India completed a convincing 165-run victory in Galle, with Suthar emerging as the undisputed hero.

Sri Lanka batter Niroshan Dickwella found himself at the centre of a light-hearted exchange with India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal shortly before losing his wicket on the fifth day of the first Test in Galle. Sri Lanka were chasing 372 for victory and needed to survive the final stages of the match to force a draw when Jaiswal attempted to persuade Dickwella to take on Prasidh Krishna’s short-pitched deliveries. The conversation quickly turned into playful banter, with Dickwella jokingly asking Jaiswal to help him secure an IPL opportunity. Jaiswal Challenges Dickwella Two balls before Dickwella was dismissed, Jaiswal walked in from square leg and urged the batter to play more attacking shots after his relatively restrained innings of 80 in the first innings. “There wasn’t a lot of shots in the first innings. I need to see something,” Jaiswal told him. Jaiswal then pointed towards the Galle Municipality Stand and challenged Dickwella to hook Krishna into the stands. “Hit him there, I need to see something,” Jaiswal said. Dickwella initially responded with “okay” but then joked that the hook shot was not his natural game. “No, I’m not Jaiswal,” Dickwella replied. He then added a condition for taking on the fast bowler: “If you take me to IPL.” Jaiswal responded confidently: “I will 100% take you.” The exchange continued, with Jaiswal promising to speak to Rajasthan Royals director of cricket Kumar Sangakkara if Dickwella managed to hit Krishna into the stands. “If you hit him there, I will definitely tell Sanga,” Jaiswal said. The reference was particularly fitting given Sangakkara’s longstanding connection with Dickwella. The two played together for Sri Lanka, while both are graduates of Trinity College, Kandy. Sangakkara is also part of the Rajasthan Royals setup, the IPL franchise for which Jaiswal plays. Dickwella Falls Moments Later Despite Jaiswal’s encouragement, Dickwella never attempted the hook shot during the over, with Krishna repeatedly bowling short. Dickwella instead cut one delivery towards deep point for two runs. On the following delivery, he attempted a similar shot but the ball was close to his body. As Dickwella moved towards the leg side, he edged the delivery behind, allowing Rishabh Pant to complete the catch. Dickwella departed for 12 off 17 balls, exposing Sri Lanka’s tail with the hosts still needing to survive more than two overs before lunch. The Indian players were visibly delighted with the dismissal, with Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar and Pant among those congratulating Jaiswal during the huddle. Although Jaiswal had no direct role in the wicket, the India players appeared to believe that his banter had helped create the moment that led to Dickwella’s mistake. Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for 207, falling 165 runs short of their target and losing the Test shortly after the lunch break. Dickwella No Stranger to On-Field Banter The exchange was typical of Dickwella, who has long been known for his lively conversations with opponents. A similar incident occurred during Sri Lanka’s Test against India in Kolkata in 2017, when Dickwella engaged in extended discussions with the Indian players while his team was attempting to save the match. One of his Sri Lankan team-mates eventually asked him to reduce his chatter. Dickwella’s response summed up his approach to on-field banter: he said he was simply helping the opposition waste their own time. In Galle, however, the exchange with Jaiswal remained friendly — but ended with Dickwella walking back to the pavilion just moments after the conversation.

Devdutt Padikkal has made a strong statement in his latest opportunity for India, but the left-hander knows that big scores alone may not guarantee him a permanent place in the Test XI. Padikkal scored an impressive 167 in the first innings and followed it with 44 in the second innings of the first Test against Sri Lanka. Despite his outstanding contribution, the Karnataka batter remains cautious about his long-term prospects, with Sai Sudharsan currently established as India’s preferred No. 3. Padikkal is expected to retain his place for the second Test, but he said he has not discussed his future role with either the selectors or the team management. “It’s important that whenever you get that opportunity, you have to just take it. I don’t really go looking for those conversations,” Padikkal said after the third day’s play. “For me, it’s important that whenever I get that chance, I perform.” The batter said he does not want to focus on securing a guaranteed run of matches, particularly in the highly competitive environment of modern international cricket. “I don’t really put too much emphasis on getting a run of games or things like that. In modern cricket, you cannot really expect those kinds of things. It’s a highly result-driven business,” he said. “Whenever you go out there, you are expected to perform. If you are not doing that, you are always on the line in terms of your job. If I am scoring runs, I am sure I will play more games.” Strong Understanding with KL Rahul Padikkal also spoke about his successful partnership with KL Rahul in the first innings. The pair added 150 runs before Rahul was forced to retire hurt after suffering severe cramps. Their understanding was helped by their experience together for Karnataka, where they have already shared several partnerships. “Batting with KL has always been enjoyable. I think I have played quite a few innings with him now, even with Karnataka as well. We have had some long partnerships, and I think we play well with each other,” Padikkal said. “He understands the way I bat, the tempo in which I bat, and I do the same as well. When you have that kind of chemistry, I think it helps in stitching that partnership and really pushing the limits of how far we can go.” Dravid Continues to Be a Source of Support Padikkal also revealed that he remains in touch with former India head coach Rahul Dravid, who played a key role in the early stages of his Test career. Dravid was India’s head coach when Padikkal made his Test debut and has continued to be someone the batter can turn to for advice. “Dravid has always been a great support. I made my debut under him, and he has always been open to having a chat whenever I needed to,” Padikkal said. The batter added that senior members of the Indian team have also been supportive and willing to share their experiences. “I think everyone, for that matter — all the senior players around — are really helpful in terms of being open to having those conversations.” With his big scores against Sri Lanka, Padikkal has given the Indian team plenty to consider. However, rather than looking too far ahead, he remains focused on the simple task of converting every opportunity into runs.

India moved within six wickets of victory in the Galle Test after a dominant fourth day that left Sri Lanka facing a record 288-run target. Rishabh Pant’s attacking 66 off 69 balls helped India extend their lead before the bowlers struck repeatedly to reduce Sri Lanka to 84 for 4 at stumps. India, who began the day with a 178-run advantage, were eventually bowled out for 193, setting Sri Lanka 372 runs to win. Pant’s aggressive knock, which included his 100th Test six, proved crucial as the visitors maintained a scoring rate of close to four runs an over on a deteriorating surface. Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando was the standout bowler, claiming 4 for 41. His first breakthrough came when Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed attempting a cut, continuing the batter’s struggles against pace with that shot. KL Rahul and Devdutt Padikkal then added 65 runs in an entertaining partnership. Rahul even celebrated with a hug and a blown kiss towards Padikkal after convincing him to review an lbw decision that was overturned. Sri Lanka fought back strongly around lunch, removing Rahul, Padikkal, Shubman Gill and Dhruv Jurel in quick succession. Pant, however, changed the tempo with an explosive innings. The left-hander repeatedly attacked the bowlers, using his feet against the spinners and pulling short deliveries into unconventional areas. His fifty came with a pull behind square, while a six during the innings took him to 100 sixes in Test cricket. India continued batting after Pant’s dismissal despite already holding a sizeable lead, eventually reaching a 371-run advantage. With rain a constant threat in Galle, India opted to bat Sri Lanka out of the contest rather than risk an early declaration. The decision paid off as India’s bowlers immediately put Sri Lanka under pressure. Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna extracted movement and bounce from the surface, while debutant Manav Suthar also made a significant impact. Sri Lanka lost three wickets inside the first 20 overs and were reduced to 41 for 3. Siraj eventually removed Nishan Madushka after repeatedly testing him with short deliveries. Madushka attempted a hook but failed to keep the ball down. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, making his Test debut after replacing the concussed Dinesh Chandimal, was dismissed by Suthar. The spinner produced a delivery that turned less than expected and slipped past Sooriyabandara’s inside edge. Krishna followed with an impressive spell of 5-2-9-1, dismissing Kusal Mendis after the batter attempted to cut. His accurate lengths consistently troubled the Sri Lankan batters as the pitch offered both lateral movement and uneven bounce. Suthar added another wicket when Lahiru Udara was caught low at gully by Dhruv Jurel. The catch was reviewed before the third umpire confirmed that Jurel’s fingers were underneath the ball. Sri Lanka were 84 for 4 when bad light ended play at 6:08pm, with Dhananjaya de Silva unbeaten on 31. They still require 288 runs to win, while India need six more wickets for victory. With the pitch expected to deteriorate further on the final day, India remain firmly in control and will look to complete a series-opening win.

Sri Lanka batter Dinesh Chandimal was taken to hospital for a precautionary scan after sustaining an injury to his shoulder and neck while fielding during the fourth morning of the first Test against India in Galle. The incident occurred in the fourth over of India's second innings when Chandimal sprinted from deep midwicket towards deep square leg to stop a shot from KL Rahul. He dived horizontally and managed to save two runs, but landed heavily on his shoulder before tumbling over. Chandimal appeared to be in considerable discomfort immediately after the fall. He was attended to by his teammates, the Sri Lankan team physiotherapist and doctor, and was seen clutching his neck, head and shoulder. The 36-year-old eventually managed to walk back to the dressing room, although he appeared to be moving gingerly. He was replaced on the field by substitute fielder Pasindu Sooriyabandara. Sri Lanka are awaiting the results of Chandimal's scans. If a significant neck injury is detected, the team could seek permission to use a concussion substitute for the remainder of the Test. Sooriyabandara, a spare top-order batter in Sri Lanka's squad, is currently standing in as the substitute fielder. Chandimal had a quiet outing with the bat in Sri Lanka's first innings, scoring only four runs as the hosts were bowled out for 284 in reply to India's 462. India therefore secured a first-innings lead of 178 runs before the start of the fourth day's play.

India 460 for 9 (Padikkal 167, Rahul 82, Jurel 51; Jayasuriya 4-109, Nuwantha 3-175) vs Sri Lanka Sri Lanka’s spin duo of Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha shared seven wickets as India continued to build a formidable first-innings total on another rain-affected day of the Test. Only 43 overs were possible after rain washed out the first half of play, but India still reached 460 for 9. Devdutt Padikkal was the standout performer, converting his overnight score of 131 into an impressive 167. Dhruv Jurel also made a valuable contribution with a composed half-century, while Keshara Nuwantha produced a much-improved spell on only his second day of Test cricket. India resumed on 288 for 2 with an aggressive approach, seemingly aware of the time already lost to rain and the uncertain forecast for the remainder of the Test. Rishabh Pant immediately attacked, hitting a boundary from the first ball he faced, but his stay was short-lived. He attempted another aggressive shot and was caught at wide mid-off. Sri Lanka then made an important breakthrough by taking the second new ball as soon as it became available, seven overs into the day. Nuwantha continued with the new ball and found both sharp turn and useful variation while maintaining better accuracy. He soon dismissed KL Rahul, who had returned after cramps interrupted his innings on the opening day. Rahul, who had made 82, was caught at bat-pad off a sharp offbreak. Nuwantha then trapped Ravindra Jadeja lbw, giving Sri Lanka a crucial period of control. At the other end, Padikkal remained in complete command. He used the depth of his crease effectively against the spinners and brought up his 150 with a confident flick off Asitha Fernando. However, his excellent innings finally ended when Jayasuriya produced a delivery that held its line, leaving Padikkal stranded outside his crease. With India reduced to 377 for 6, Sri Lanka had an opportunity to restrict the hosts. That hope was quickly diminished by a 55-run partnership between Jurel and Manav Suthar. Jurel's innings was understated but highly effective. He quietly accumulated runs and reached his half-century with another single, while two powerful pulls off Lahiru Kumara provided the most eye-catching moments of his knock. Jayasuriya then produced one of the deliveries of the day, turning the ball from leg stump to induce a stunning slip catch by Dhananjaya de Silva soon after Jurel reached his fifty. India subsequently promoted Mohammed Siraj up the order in search of quick runs. Siraj responded by launching Nuwantha for a huge six before falling to a slower delivery from Asitha Fernando. Suthar also departed late in the day, hitting Jayasuriya straight to long-on as the final overs disappeared. Despite losing seven wickets to Sri Lanka's spinners, India finished the rain-shortened day in a commanding position at 460 for 9. With further rain interruptions possible, the visitors will now hope to wrap up the innings quickly before attempting to make early inroads into Sri Lanka's batting.

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.