NEW DELHI: India’s warm-up match against a Sri Lanka XI ahead of the two-Test series has been shortened from four days to three days, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed. The practice match will now be played from August 7 to August 9 at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) Ground in Colombo.In a statement, SLC said: “Team India will play a 3-day warm-up game instead of the originally scheduled four-day fixture. The warm-up fixture will commence on 7 August at the NCC Grounds, Colombo. The India team is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on 4th August. The first Test will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium (GICS) from 15 to 19 August, while the second Test will be held at the SSC, Colombo, from 23 to 27 August.” SLC did not reveal why the duration of the warm-up match was reduced.
Test series begins on August 15
After the practice game, India will begin the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.The first Test will be played in Galle from August 15 to 19, while the second Test will be held in Colombo from August 23 to 27.The series is part of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.BCCI had announced a four-day practice matchWhen the Indian squad was announced, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had said: “Ahead of the series, the team will play a four-day practice match in Colombo, starting on August 7.”
India tour of Sri Lanka: Full schedule
| Date | Match | Teams | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 7, 2026 (Friday) | 3-day Warm-up Match | Sri Lanka XI vs India | Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Colombo | 10:00 AM |
| August 15, 2026 (Saturday) | 1st Test | Sri Lanka vs India | Galle International Stadium, Galle | 10:00 AM |
| August 23, 2026 (Sunday) | 2nd Test | Sri Lanka vs India | Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo | 10:00 AM |
