World Test Championship stakes rise as India, Sri Lanka schedule August matches

The ICC World Test Championship 2025‑27 will see a critical two‑Test showdown between India and Sri Lanka in August 2026. The first Test, set for 15‑19 August, will be hosted at Galle International Cricket Stadium, while the second, slated for 23‑27 August, will take place at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club. Both contests are programmed to start at 10 a.m. local time.

India currently occupies the fifth spot on the WTC table with a 48.15 % points‑percentage after nine matches, while the hosts sit sixth with 44.44 %. A win in either fixture could propel either side into the coveted top‑two positions that guarantee a berth in the championship final, making the series a high‑stakes encounter for both nations.

The last time India toured Sri Lanka for Tests was in 2017, when a Shubman‑led side (then under Virat Kohli) achieved a clean 3‑0 sweep. The upcoming series follows the Lanka Premier League, which runs from 17 July to 8 August, and precedes a still‑unconfirmed T20 series that was initially proposed to raise funds for reconstruction after cyclone Ditwah.

Meanwhile, India A, captained by Dhruv Jurel, is already in Galle for a red‑ball shadow tour. After the first game ended in a draw, the second four‑day match began on Thursday, giving fringe players a platform to adapt to local conditions before the senior squad's arrival.