Indian Cricketer Shubman Gill. File
| Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI
A slew of milestones will be registered when the first Test featuring India and Sri Lanka commences at the Galle International Stadium here on Saturday (August 15, 2026). This would be India’s 600th Test, the picturesque venue’s 50th Test and also Shubman Gill’s 10th Test as the Indian skipper!
Within this array of numbers, Gill is conscious of one challenging reality: the need to qualify for the ICC Test Championship final. Addressing the media on Friday (August 14, 2026), Gill said: “The main goal is to play the World Test Championship final next year. We have to win around six or seven to have a chance of qualifying. In terms of that, this is a very important series.”
In the rush-hour that is international cricket, teams hardly get time to settle. The current tour has been an exception with an early arrival and a warm-up game, and Gill highlighted that: “If the scheduling allows us to have at least a week or 10 days before a Test, it helps with the preparation. Last year we had a busy schedule and it is never easy. Most players require a bit of time to adjust with the conditions. So this extra time in preparation helps.”
Gill also backed Devdutt Padikkal and praised Prasidh Krishna: “Devdutt was here earlier with India A and did well. He has got all the skills and the potential to succeed in this format.” Later he added: “Prasidh recently has been bowling the best that I have ever seen him bowl.”
The aesthetics around the first Test venue came in for praise but Gill added a note of caution: “In grounds which are open, wind plays a crucial part. As a batter if you want to take on a spinner, we have to see if the wind is with us or against us.”
Published – August 14, 2026 03:43 pm IST
