Galle and Colombo to host India for two Tests in August 2026

Galle and Colombo will host India’s two forthcoming Tests in Sri Lanka, between August 15 and 27. Although the Sinhalese Sports Club ground recently had floodlights installed, this series will not feature a day/night match – both games set to start at the usual time of 10am.

This will be India’s first Test tour of the island in nine years, their last trip having been in 2017. India have won five consecutive Tests in Sri Lanka, and have not lost a series there since 2008. No tour matches have been officially announced, although earlier versions of the proposed itinerary had included a four-day warm-up match in Colombo.

These Tests will also be the first World Test Championship matches these teams play in Sri Lanka. India are in need of points after they were swept 2-0 by South Africa in their most recent WTC series. They sit fifth on the table with four wins, four losses and a draw, while Sri Lanka have slipped to sixth following their innings defeat to West Indies last week.

Australia and South Africa are currently in pole position to play the WTC final, with New Zealand gaining ground in third place. The top two teams at the end of the cycle will play each other for the title in 2027. India have been part of two of the three WTC finals so far but are yet to win the title. The have two more away Tests against New Zealand and five home Tests against Australia in 2025-27.

Sri Lanka’s best finish is fifth. They too are scheduled to tour New Zealand at the start of next year.

Unseasonal weather notwithstanding, August is generally a period of clear weather in the southwest of Sri Lanka, where both matches will be played. Showers, particularly in the afternoons, are not uncommon however, especially in Galle.