Indian bowlers inflicted telling blows on the top order, reducing Sri Lanka to 83/2 in their second innings at lunch after skipper Shubman Gill imposed a follow-on on the fourth day of the second and final Test on Wednesday (August 26, 2026).

Pasindu Sooriyabandara (35) and Kamindu Mendis (10) were batting at the break, with the hosts still trailing by 130 runs.

Resuming from 265/8, Sonal Dinusha, who was overnight 85, compiled his second hundred in as many Tests.

But his brave knock did not help Sri Lanka avert the follow-on, getting bowled out for 290, a mere 13 runs shy of the follow-on mark.

Dinusha raced to the 90s with a six, a slog sweep, and four, again whacked to the on-side, off off-spinner Saransh Jain.

The right-hander reached the coveted three-figure with a thunderous pull off pacer Prasidh Krishna, a moment he celebrated with pride and gusto.

But soon his overnight partner Lahiru Kumara departed, lofting Jain to Dhruv Jurel at covers. It was the 34-year-old’s maiden Test wicket.

Jurel returned to outfield duty as Rishabh Pant, who copped a blow on his shoulder on the second day and stayed away from the field on Tuesday (August 25), returned to don the wicketkeeper’s gloves.

Dinusha, whose arrival as a Test batter might have warmed the Lankan hearts, did not last long, perishing to Jain.

The Madhya Pradesh spinner induced a false drive from Dinusha, which was pouched by KL Rahul at slip.

Following-on, Sri Lanka were jolted by the dismissals of Lahiru Udara (3) and a set Kamil Mishara (32), who fell leg-before to Ravindra Jadeja.

Udara’s dismissal might have disappointed the Lankan management to no end, as the opener played a rather irresponsible pull off Mohammad Siraj to get caught in the deep by Jain.

Siraj later had a moment of worry he hurt himself while diving for a catch. He had to go out to get medical attention but was back on the field after some time.

Rising Sri Lankan all-rounder Sonal Dinusha struck a second successive century to anchor his team’s innings but could not prevent the follow on that India imposed on the hosts after bowling them out for 290 to grab a 213-run first-innings lead in the second Test in Colombo on Wednesday (August 26, 2026).

India lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the Galle Test by 165 runs.

Resuming the penultimate day at 265/8, Sri Lanka were steered by Dinusha, who added quick runs before the hosts were bundled out in 89.4 overs.

India had declared their first innings for 503/9.

The Lankan No.7, who was overnight on 85, attacked debutant off-spinner Saransh Jain with a six and a four in the spinner’s first over of the day to race into the nineties.

Dinusha then completed his second Test century in the next over with a boundary off Prasidh Krishna.

The 25-year-old left-hander scored 100 and 84 in the opening Test at Galle.

For India, Saransh (1/45) provided the first breakthrough of the day, dismissing Lahiru Kumara for his maiden Test wicket, before taking the prized scalp of Dinusha who got out for 103 (162b; 8×4, 3×6).

Prasidh Krishna (3/52) and Manav Suthar (3/85) picked up three wickets each.

Brief Scores

India: 503/9 declared.

Sri Lanka: 290 all out in 89.4 overs (Sonal Dinusha 103, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 80; Prasidh Krishna 3/52, Manav Suthar (3/85).

The Indian pace attack, missing the services of Jasprit Bumrah, has found a second wind due to Mohammed Siraj’s consistency and the evolution of Prasidh Krishna. The latter’s role came in for warm praise when bowling coach Morne Morkel spoke to the media at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground here on Tuesday.

“It just shows the character of Prasidh, he has the media, commentators on his back, to fight through that and to bowl in the moment, that for me is very impressive. In an environment where you are under the microscope, every movement gets analysed, and sometimes you try and fight those elements. I think Prasidh now is just enjoying his cricket and loves bowling,” Morkel said.

Prasidh bagged three wickets during the Sri Lankan first innings in the second Test, and Morkel said: “The results are showing. He works hard, does his research on the opposition. He is a massive student of the game and it is great to see him develop into a world-class bowler. In all formats, he has the potential to play for a very long time.”

About the host’s lower-order being difficult to dismantle, Morkel explained: “Sometimes we think the pitch looks nice and dry, and we need to bowl teams out for 180, 200. Unfortunately at times, it is not going to work like that. These are tough conditions and the ball goes soft quickly. The follow-on, that will be the first prize if we can get the last two wickets early. With the weather being the way it is, we need to get in as many overs against the Sri Lankans.”

Update on Pant

And as for Rishabh Pant, Morkel gave an update: “He got hit on the shoulder, badly bruised, we will keep monitoring him and hopefully he will be behind the stumps”.

Time seemingly paused as Dhruv Jurel batted on 99. With Mohammed Siraj for company, and an anxious Indian camp watching from the dressing room, Jurel took 13 deliveries to move to his coveted hundred while surviving a run out attempt too in the process. His knock deflated host Sri Lanka in the second Test.

Speaking to the media in Colombo on Monday (August 24, 2026) and recalling that nervous-nineties phase, Jurel said: “So actually, when I was on 99, before that I was getting runs, and on 99, he (Asitha Fernando) started bowling good lengths. When I played that shot (for the hundred), thought it was going past the fielder, that there was a gap, and then I was like oh God!”

On a stop-start day due to the rains, Jurel seemed at ease, and he explained: “I am used to it because I was here with India A and am aware of the situation, about the (rain) breaks. I was just trying to bat in partnerships and also assess the conditions. Even if I scored a 100 today, tomorrow I will go and start from zero, that’s how it is.”

When Sri Lanka turned up for the first innings, Jurel donned the wicket-keeping gloves. Clarifying that move, he said: “Right now, (Rishabh) Pant has a sore right shoulder. We are closely monitoring him. Today I kept wickets, hopefully he will be fit.”

Among the rivals, Jurel lauded Asitha: “It was so hot and he used the short ball. It’s not easy for a bowler, and he was really challenging, especially when I was on 99.” Stressing that playing red-ball cricket is important, Jurel said: “Playing Test cricket is a privilege. We want to play well both in white and in blue.”

Time seemingly paused as Dhruv Jurel batted on 99. With Mohammed Siraj for company, and an anxious Indian camp watching from the dressing room, Jurel took 13 deliveries to move to his coveted hundred while surviving a run out attempt too in the process. His knock deflated host Sri Lanka in the second Test.

Speaking to the media in Colombo on Monday (August 24, 2026) and recalling that nervous-nineties phase, Jurel said: “So actually, when I was on 99, before that I was getting runs, and on 99, he (Asitha Fernando) started bowling good lengths. When I played that shot (for the hundred), thought it was going past the fielder, that there was a gap, and then I was like oh God!”

On a stop-start day due to the rains, Jurel seemed at ease, and he explained: “I am used to it because I was here with India A and am aware of the situation, about the (rain) breaks. I was just trying to bat in partnerships and also assess the conditions. Even if I scored a 100 today, tomorrow I will go and start from zero, that’s how it is.”

When Sri Lanka turned up for the first innings, Jurel donned the wicket-keeping gloves. Clarifying that move, he said: “Right now, (Rishabh) Pant has a sore right shoulder. We are closely monitoring him. Today I kept wickets, hopefully he will be fit.”

Among the rivals, Jurel lauded Asitha: “It was so hot and he used the short ball. It’s not easy for a bowler, and he was really challenging, especially when I was on 99.” Stressing that playing red-ball cricket is important, Jurel said: “Playing Test cricket is a privilege. We want to play well both in white and in blue.”

India handed a debut to spin bowling all-rounder Saransh Jain as captain Shubman Gill elected to bat against Sri Lanka in the second Test on Sunday (August 23, 2026).

India have an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series, having won the opening Test at Galle by a massive 165 runs.

For Sri Lanka, batters Kamil Mishara and Pasindu Sooryabandara are making their Test debut.

Teams

India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

Sri Lanka: Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.

Ravindra Jadeja breached a stonewalling alliance between Sonal Dinusha and Dhananjaya de Silva, reducing Sri Lanka to 175 for six at lunch to push India closer to a victory on the fifth and final day of the first Test in Galle on Wednesday (August 19, 2026).

Chasing a distant 372, Dinusha (65) and Keshara Nuwantha (8) were holding the fort for Sri Lanka but the Indians will be hoping to wrap the proceedings at the earliest in the coming session.

Starting from a wobbly 84 for four, the end looked nigh for the home side. But Dinusha and De Silva (59 off 151 balls), the two overnight batters, added 95 runs off 202 balls to deny the Indians success for well over an hour into the opening session of the day.

Just like the Indian batters, sweep too was the Lankan pair’s preferred way to tackle the spinners.

Jadeja looked easily the best Indian spinner on the day, putting his body behind the ball and getting a good amount of purchase from the surface.

Manav Suthar did not bowl too many overs but looked sharp but left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was quite flat, failing to get much out of an abrasive deck and he will surely want to improve upon this effort.

It was quite astounding to watch him rather go through the motions. Operating from around the wicket also snuffed out the leg before option for him.

But amid the mighty push from other Indian bowlers, De Silva reached his fifty in 125 balls and a little later Dinusha, who made a 100 in the first innings, too joined his captain.

However, he brought up the landmark with more flourish, a slog-swept six off Kuldeep.

But Jadeja found a way past the defence of De Silva. The veteran left-arm spinner managed to eke out a bit more bounce and De Silva’s top-edged sweep ended in the hands of Suthar at short fine leg.

Niroshan Dickwella, who played a sensible innings in Sri Lanka’s first dig, appeared to be in a hurry to knock off the remaining runs.

There were a couple of desperate slog sweeps against Kuldeep and Jadeja before eventually succumbing to pacer Prasidh Krishna.

Dickwella tried to manufacture a shot over covers while giving himself some room off Prasidh, but all he managed was a healthy edge to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps.

But Dinusha and Nuwantha managed to see off the next 30 minutes with pluck and luck.

Gary Kirsten guided India to some of its greatest achievements during his three-year tenure as head coach. The defining moment came in his final assignment, when Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina carried him on their shoulders after India lifted the 2011 Cricket World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Kirsten looks back on those years with fondness, even as he now finds himself in the opposition camp.

As Sri Lanka head coach, he will be plotting India’s downfall when the two-match Test series begins at Galle on Saturday.

“That was a great three years. There was a lot of skill in the team. What I appreciated was that they accepted me into their space and felt I could add value. That was a real privilege,” Kirsten said during a virtual interaction on Thursday.

The South African earned widespread praise for his man-management skills while working with a star-studded Indian side that included Sachin Tendulkar, M.S. Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh.

Kirsten hopes to build similar relationships with the current Sri Lankan squad.

“I’ve treated this Sri Lankan opportunity with the same seriousness that I did the Indian team. I built good relationships with the Indian players, and I’m attempting to do the same with the Sri Lankan players,” he said.

The 58-year-old kept his cards close to his chest when asked about India’s perceived vulnerability against spin. “We would certainly like to bring all the skills into the game, not just spin,” Kirsten said.

The former opening batter also backed India head coach Gautam Gambhir. “His record speaks for itself. I really enjoyed working with him when he was a player. He was a very smart cricketer, and I knew he would have success as a coach,” Kirsten said.

(Watch Sri Lanka vs. India 1st Test Day 1 on August 15, 2026, from 10 a.m. IST live on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD and Sony LIV).

Sri Lanka’s southern coastal city stirred awake to the insistent whisper of rains at dawn. Water slanted down like sharp threads but once the clouds dissipated, the heat slithered in like a shroud that choked. As Thursday (August 13, 2026) wore on, Shubman Gill’s men trained hard at the Galle International Stadium.

After the net session, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel jogged a bit, and then faced the media. In the lead-up to the first Test against Sri Lanka from Saturday (August 15), questions ranged from team-composition to pitch-analysis.

India played a lone Test, the winning one against Afghanistan, earlier this year. Aware of this shortfall in cricket’s longest format, Morkel said: “We came 10 days earlier to give the guys the best opportunity to prepare. We haven’t played a lot of red ball cricket and going back into that will be a challenge. We are quite excited to see how these guys can stand up and create pressure.”

On a surface expected to aid spin, Morkel did not deny the possibility of having three left-arm spinners ranging from the conventional Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar to the unconventional Kuldeep Yadav, plying his chinaman wares. “Kuldeep is an attacking bowler, and with his experience and class we can’t look past. All three are different. One turns a bit more, and one is slightly more accurate. They have got the skill to get 20 wickets for us,” Morkel said.

The former South African speedster was not perturbed by the lack of experience in his pace attack: “All these guys have come a long way. Prasidh (Krishna) and (Mohammed) Siraj have played a lot of cricket back home, where it’s also tough bowling conditions. The biggest challenge will be the heat, the humidity, and the Kookaburra ball once it gets a little bit soft.”

Queried about the pitch, Morkel said: “It looks like a good surface and as the Test goes on, something will happen. We have prepared for all that can come our way. It’s more about the mental challenge now, facing these conditions, batting time, bowling those spells and getting the ball in the right areas.”

Reverse-swing was not ruled out too as Morkel explained: “It is definitely going to play a role. This morning we had quite a big shower, that will make the outfield a little softer and then it would take a bit longer for the ball to reverse. If you are a fast bowler, you will bowl short spells and you always will have an opportunity.”

Morkel was clear about the ideal strategy and it centred around excelling in the first innings and exerting pressure: “The first two days will belong to the batting side. Whatever happens at the toss, if you bat first make sure you go big and if you bowl first get the ball in the right areas.” Soon Morkel jogged away while the sun bathed the nearby Dutch fort and the Indian Ocean shimmered.

The Indian Ocean lapsing into liquid sighs and roaring waves is entwined with Galle’s topography. This coastal town with a colonial past is leafy and charming. In this Sri Lankan amalgam of fine aesthetics and overwhelming history, India is seeking a fresh path in Tests.

The two-Test series commencing with the first one here from Saturday (August 15, 2026) offers Shubman Gill’s men a rope to pull themselves up from the pit they sunk into in cricket’s longest format.

India, the dominant in ODIs and T20Is, despite the recent blip in England, is also India the inconsistent in Tests, especially after losing in its backyard first against New Zealand and then to South Africa.

It is no surprise that India is placed fifth in the current ICC World Test Championship rankings, and in a cycle that would also feature clashes against Australia, the time for instant revival is now. Coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Gill get a chance to get over transition blues and chase success.

Men with impeccable legacies have walked into their twilight. In a fresh era, one that misses Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R. Ashwin, the team-management has to guide the caravan ahead. At different points in the past, batons have been passed smoothly in batsmanship, be it from Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar, or from the latter to Kohli.

In K.L. Rahul, Gill has a solid link with the immediate past. It is the same in bowling, too, with veteran Ravindra Jadeja still being in the mix.

However, a medley of retirements, injuries and selectorial interventions like the refusal to pick Mohammed Shami does leave the squad in a state of flux.

In the past, the Indian middle-order briefly toyed with the promise offered by Karun Nair, Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer, and then moved on. It is into this vacuum that players like Devdutt Padikkal and the returning Sarfaraz Khan have to step into and find their groove.

In a world shaped by optics, the latest cricketing fad is to prove your batting chops against fast bowling. In this macho quest, Indian batters seem to have lost their patience and poise against spin. A weakness that has taken many by surprise, and one that Sri Lanka would try to exploit on surfaces amenable to the slow and the wily.

Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya is the latest among the twirly men, keen to prove his mettle against the visiting Indians. In the rival quarter, Kuldeep Yadav would prefer a steady position in the playing XI. He is a spinner who should not be allowed to wither away.

From bustling Colombo, Gill’s men, after a good warm-up fixture, travelled past green hills, and are taking in the sights of the Indian Ocean. There is no message in a bottle from the seas, but if Rishabh Pant could revive his batting style of fury and fun, India would be better placed. More clues may be gleaned when the squad trains at the Galle International Stadium on Thursday (August 13).