SL vs India 2nd Test: Colombo Preview, Full Squads

Sri Lanka and India walk into the SSC ground in Colombo this weekend with one Test left to decide the series, and only one side has a smile on its face going in. India lead 1-0 after a commanding win in Galle, and now they get a chance to close out a clean sweep on the road. For Sri Lanka, the equation is simple and unforgiving: win or go home with a series defeat in front of their own crowd.

The two-match series began on a green top in Galle where India’s bowlers, backed by a disciplined batting effort, ran away with a 165-run victory. That result leaves Sri Lanka needing something they have not managed in a long while — a response, on their own turf, against a full-strength Indian side. Vegas11 News has been tracking every twist of this tour, from the warm-up matches in Colombo through to the fallout of the Galle Test, and this second Test promises to be just as eventful.

Match Details: Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd Test in Colombo

The match is scheduled for August 23–27, with play starting at 10:00 am local time (also 10:00 am IST) at the SSC cricket ground in Colombo. India go in 1-0 up in the two-match series, meaning a draw is enough for them to seal the series win, while Sri Lanka must find a way to win outright to level things up.

Sri Lanka Squad and Injury Concerns Ahead of the Colombo Test

Sri Lanka’s team sheet has taken a battering in the days leading up to this Test. Dinesh Chandimal was hospitalized for scans after a heavy fall during the Galle Test, and Kusal Mendis is also out of contention, leaving a big hole in the middle order. Pathum Nissanka remains a doubtful starter as well. To plug the gaps, the selectors have drafted in uncapped batter Kamil Mishara, fresh off a blistering 145 off 72 balls, along with Sahan Arachchige, who impressed with a knock of 127 for Sri Lanka A.

Dhananjaya de Silva continues to lead the side, with Niroshan Dickwella and Lahiru Udara sharing wicketkeeping duties. The bowling attack leans heavily on spin, led by Prabath Jayasuriya, with Kamindu Mendis and Sahan Arachchige offering extra options.

Full Sri Lanka squad: Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Udara (wk), Sahan Arachchige, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kamindu Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Keshara Nuwantha.

India Squad: Ravindra Jadeja Returns as India Chase a Series Sweep

India’s squad for the Colombo Test carries a settled, confident look after the win in Galle. Ravindra Jadeja is back from injury and slots straight into the middle order and spin attack, while uncapped pacer Auqib Nabi remains in the mix as cover following Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from this tour. Sarfaraz Khan has also been added to the squad after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out with a toe injury, giving Shubman Gill another option at number three.

Gill continues to lead the side and has been in outstanding recent form with the bat, while KL Rahul serves as vice-captain. Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel offer wicketkeeping cover, and the pace attack is built around Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna, with Kuldeep Yadav leading the spin department alongside Jadeja.

Full India squad: Shubman Gill (C), KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Sarfaraz Khan, Saransh Jain, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), Mohammed Siraj, Devdutt Padikkal, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Auqib Nabi, Manav Suthar, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Gurnoor Brar.

What to Expect from the SSC Pitch in Colombo

The SSC ground has traditionally offered more assistance to seamers early on before flattening out and turning slowly for the spinners as the match wears on. With Sri Lanka’s batting already stretched thin by injuries, and India carrying both spin and pace options in near-equal measure, whichever side reads the surface better in the first two sessions could hold a lasting advantage across the five days.

Series Context: What a Result in Colombo Would Mean

A win or a draw for India confirms their first series victory in Sri Lanka since 2017, a result that would carry real weight given how competitive Sri Lanka has traditionally been at home. For Sri Lanka, anything short of victory ends the series on a losing note, adding further pressure on a side that has played remarkably little Test cricket over the past year. Vegas11 News will have live updates, session-by-session analysis, and reactions from both camps as the Colombo Test unfolds.