India’s predicted playing 11 for the 1st Test vs Sri Lanka 2026

India are set to begin a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on August 15, 2026. Both Tests are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with India currently placed fifth in the standings on 52 points and a 48.15 points percentage after nine Tests.

This is India’s first red-ball tour of Sri Lanka in nine years. Shubman Gill leads the side, while Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the series with an injury, and Washington Sundar is also unavailable for the first Test. Auqib Nabi was named as Bumrah’s replacement in the squad. Here is CricTracker’s predicted playing XI for India in the first Test at Galle.

Here is the predicted playing XI for India for the first Test vs Sri Lanka:

Top Order: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal

Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to open the batting for India at Galle. The left-hander has been one of India’s most consistent performers at the top of the order in recent Test cricket. India played a tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI at Colombo (NCC) from August 7 to 9, 2026, which they won by six wickets, and Jaiswal had the opportunity to get time in the middle ahead of the first Test. His ability to play spin on turning tracks makes him a key figure for India in Sri Lanka conditions.

KL Rahul is predicted to bat at number two in the playing XI. Rahul has experience of opening and batting in the middle order in Test cricket, and his technique against both pace and spin makes him a reliable option in Asian conditions. His presence at the top of the order alongside Jaiswal gives India a settled look to their batting lineup heading into the Galle Test.

Devdutt Padikkal is expected to come in at number three. The left-hander has been in contention for a regular Test spot and the tour match at Colombo provided him with valuable preparation time. Padikkal’s ability to play spin is an important factor in Sri Lanka, where the pitches at Galle traditionally offer significant assistance to slow bowlers across the course of a five-day match.

Middle Order: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Saransh Jain/Sarfaraz Khan

Shubman Gill captains India in this series and is expected to bat at number four. Gill suffered a finger injury during training in Colombo and missed part of the warm-up fixture initially, but he returned to batting and was described as very much ready for the first Test. His leadership role adds responsibility to his batting, and he will be central to India’s plans both on and off the field at Galle.

Rishabh Pant is predicted to keep wicket and bat at number five. Pant’s aggressive batting style and ability to accelerate the scoring rate make him a vital component of India’s middle order in Test cricket. His wicketkeeping behind the stumps on a turning Galle surface will also be important, particularly when India’s spinners are operating.

Ravindra Jadeja returns to the Test squad for this series after sitting out the Afghanistan series in June 2026. He is predicted to bat at number six and will be a key bowling option on the Galle surface. In the tour match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI at Colombo, Jadeja took four wickets across two innings, demonstrating that he is in good rhythm ahead of the first Test.

There could be a toss up between Saransh Jain and Sarfaraz Khan, with the final selection likely to depend on the team management’s reading of the pitch conditions at Galle. Sarfaraz Khan has shown his ability to score runs in Test cricket and would add batting depth to the middle order. Meanwhile, Jain is a gutsy spin-bowling all-rounder. The competition for this spot reflects the options available to captain Gill ahead of the first Test.

Lower Order/Bowlers: Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

Manav Suthar is predicted to be part of India’s playing XI at Galle. The left-arm spinner made an impressive debut against Afghanistan and has earned his place in the squad on the back of that performance. His inclusion alongside Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav gives India a strong spin-bowling unit, which is expected to be the primary weapon on the Galle pitch.

Gurnoor Brar is in line for a potential Test debut at Galle. The left-arm pacer has been included in the squad and could be handed his first Test cap in the absence of Bumrah. His inclusion would give India a left-arm pace option to complement Mohammed Siraj in the bowling attack, and the Galle conditions may suit his style of bowling.

Kuldeep Yadav is predicted to play a key role in India’s bowling attack at Galle. The left-arm wrist spinner has the ability to trouble batters with his variations, and the Galle surface is expected to assist him as the match progresses. With Bumrah absent, Kuldeep’s wicket-taking ability becomes even more important for India in this series.

Mohammed Siraj is predicted to lead India’s pace attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Siraj has experience of bowling in Asian conditions and will be expected to provide the new-ball threat for India at Galle. His ability to move the ball and maintain pressure over long spells makes him the frontline pacer in this playing XI, and he will be supported by Gurnoor Brar in the seam-bowling department.

India’s predicted XI vs Sri Lanka in 1st Test: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Saransh Jain/Sarfaraz Khan, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj.