Brimming with huge confidence, India are preparing to face Sri Lanka in the second and final Test to be played in Colombo from 23rd August. As India ramp up their preparations, they will be eyeing a clean sweep and ending a three-year wait for a Test series victory on foreign soil. India's last overseas series win was in the Caribbean in July 2023, when they defeated the West Indies. Since then, their record away from home has been quite disappointing.

They suffered a series defeat in Australia and had drawn a series against South Africa and England. Notably, India’s struggles were not limited to overseas challenges, as they also endured damaging home defeats to New Zealand and South Africa. Meanwhile, the opening Test in Galle was a big boost for India, where they secured a big 165-run victory. In the first Test, spinner Manav Suthar led India’s bowling attack, delivering a brilliant match-winning performance, finishing with 10 wickets.

With the bat, Devdutt Padikkal was very impressive, slamming an outstanding century in the first innings to help India put up a great total. A series win would also strengthen India's position in the World Test Championship standings and give them a chance to rise to fourth place.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, face a tough task heading into the second Test. They have suffered blows with Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal unavailable for the second Test and Pathum Nissanka also missing. To fill the gap, Sri Lanka have brought Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige into the squad as they look to bounce back and level the series. 

Head-to-head

Matches - 47

Sri Lanka won - 7

India won - 23

NR/Drawn - 17

Sri Lanka likely XI; Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka

India likely XI; Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Saransh Jain/Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj