IND vs SL 1st Test: Shubman Gill Wins Toss, India Choose Batting; Keshara Nuwantha Debuts

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva said, "The pitch looks very good. I was hoping to bat first. It's also quite dry." Nishan Madushka has joined the team in place of Pathum Nissanka. Niroshan Dickwella will be wicket-keeping, and Keshara is making his Test debut for Sri Lanka today. We are fielding two fast bowlers, two spinners, and two all-rounders. This is the 50th Test match in Galle, and I am very happy to be a part of this Test match."

On the occasion of Independence Day, #TeamIndia gathered at Galle to hoist the Tricolour ?? ahead of the First #SLvIND Test.#IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/tHKIggV6AU — BCCI (@BCCI) August 15, 2026

Off-spinner Keshara Nuwantha is making his international debut for Sri Lanka in Galle. The 25-year-old was presented with his Test cap before the match. He dismissed KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant in the warm-up match, earning him a place in the Sri Lankan senior team for the first time.

It's worth noting that winning the toss in this match could prove to be a significant advantage for India on this ground, as the batsmen receive assistance on the first three days, followed by the spinners' magic on the fourth day. For this reason, the Sri Lankan team has included two specialist spinners in the playing XI.

The wait is over. Team India is ready to bring the storm to Galle. ?

Watch #SLvIND Day 1, LIVE NOW on Sony Sports Network channels & Sony LIV.#SonySportsNetwork #SonyLIV #BeautifulGameOfTestCricket pic.twitter.com/UfsX6kwslz — Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 15, 2026

India's playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill (captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

Sri Lanka's playing XI: Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Keshar Nuwantha, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.