India’s next challenge in the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) has been locked in after the Board of Control for Cricket in India officially announced the schedule for a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka national cricket team.
The tour will see India return to Sri Lanka for a Test series for the first time since 2017, with both matches expected to play an important role in the race for a place in the next WTC Final.
Galle to Host Series Opener
The opening Test is scheduled to begin on August 15 at the Galle International Stadium, a venue known for producing spin-friendly conditions. The action will then shift to Colombo, where the second Test will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground from August 23 to 27.
Complete Schedule
- First Test: August 15–19 – Galle International Stadium, Galle
- Second Test: August 23–27 – Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
Tour Limited to Test Cricket
Although discussions had taken place regarding the possibility of adding white-ball matches to India’s visit, neither the BCCI nor Sri Lanka Cricket included any ODI or T20I fixtures in the official announcement. As things stand, the tour will consist solely of two Test matches.
India Looking to Regain Momentum
The series arrives at an important stage of India’s World Test Championship campaign. Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, India are aiming to recover after a disappointing home series against South Africa national cricket team, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat.
Earlier in the WTC cycle, India shared the honours with England in a hard-fought 2-2 away series before registering a 2-0 home victory over the West Indies. Those results leave India fifth in the championship standings with a Points Percentage (PCT) of 48.15 after nine matches.
Memories of a Dominant 2017 Tour
India’s previous Test visit to Sri Lanka ended in complete domination. Led by Virat Kohli, the visitors swept the hosts 3-0 in 2017, with standout performances from players including Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya.
Nearly a decade later, the squad has undergone a major transformation, with only a handful of players from that era still in contention for Test selection.
Valuable WTC Points on Offer
Every match in Sri Lanka will carry significant weight as India look to strengthen their position in the World Test Championship table. A successful tour would not only boost confidence but also keep Gill’s side firmly in contention for qualification to the WTC Final as the cycle progresses.
