India likely to begin Sri Lanka Test tour in Galle, T20I series also on the cards

India are likely to begin their upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle later this year, with the opening match expected to be played at the Galle International Stadium from August 15 to 19. The two-match series will form part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle and will mark India’s first Test tour of Sri Lanka since 2017.

Led by captain Shubman Gill, India are scheduled to play two Tests during the tour. While the venue for the second Test has not been officially confirmed, the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo is the frontrunner to host the match, which is slated to begin on August 23.

The last time India toured Sri Lanka for a Test series was in 2017, when the visitors, led by Virat Kohli, dominated proceedings and completed a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash. Nearly nine years later, India are set to return for another red-ball assignment, with Galle expected to host the opening Test of the two-match series. While neither SLC nor the BCCI has officially confirmed the schedule, reports indicate that the proposed dates have largely been finalized.

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Apart from the two Tests, discussions are ongoing regarding the inclusion of a three-match T20I series. The possibility of additional white-ball fixtures has been highlighted in recent reports and was also hinted at by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, suggesting a more extensive tour could be on the cards.

"There is a request for three matches and we will finalise the schedule soon," Saikia said as quoted by Cricbuzz.

With the Lanka Premier League (LPL) set to conclude on August 9, scheduling the proposed three-match T20I series after the Test leg appears to be the most practical option. Conducting the T20Is before the Tests would leave little time between the end of the LPL and the start of the red-ball series. SLC is currently working on the finer details of the tour, including finalizing plans for the potential addition of the T20I matches.