India to play 3-day practice match before Sri Lanka test series
India’s preparations for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka have received a minor adjustment, with the team’s warm-up match in Colombo being reduced from four days to three.
The practice fixture, originally scheduled as a four-day contest, will now be played from August 7 to August 9 at the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) Ground in Colombo. The Indian Test team will then begin its two-match Test series against Sri Lanka on August 15, with both matches forming part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
When announcing India’s squad for the tour, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had stated that the team would play a four-day practice match in Colombo ahead of the Test series. However, the schedule has now been revised, and all stakeholders, including the BCCI and the Indian team management, have been informed of the change.
The warm-up match will see Shubman Gill-led India take on a Sri Lankan XI. The fixture is expected to provide the visitors with valuable match practice before the crucial Test series, despite being shortened by a day.
The exact reason behind the revised schedule has not been officially disclosed. However, multiple sources within the BCCI and the Indian team management have confirmed that the match will now conclude on August 9 instead of August 10.
The practice game assumes added significance as India’s Test squad has not played red-ball cricket since June. With limited opportunities for match simulation before the opening Test, the Colombo fixture is expected to help players regain rhythm, adapt to local conditions and fine-tune their preparations.
The NCC Ground, located close to the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Stadium in Colombo, has regularly hosted first-class and practice matches and is expected to offer conditions similar to those the Indian team will encounter during the Test series.
Led by captain Shubman Gill, India will be aiming for a strong start to its World Test Championship campaign in Sri Lanka. The warm-up match will provide the team management with an opportunity to assess player form, finalise combinations and give the bowlers valuable overs before the opening Test begins on August 15.
Despite the reduction in playing days, the practice fixture remains an important part of India’s build-up as the visitors look to hit the ground running in the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
