The India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2026 is scheduled to be played from 23 to 27 August 2026 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (SSC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The match is the second and final Test of India’s 2026 tour of Sri Lanka and is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
The second Test is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM IST just after 1st India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2026 Schedule ends. India will enter the match under captain Shubman Gill, while Sri Lanka will look to make the most of home conditions at the SSC after the opening Test in Galle. The series is particularly important because both teams are competing for valuable WTC points.
India’s squad has also changed since the original announcement. Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the entire Test series, with Jammu and Kashmir seamer Auqib Nabi named as his replacement. More recently, Sai Sudharsan was ruled out and Sarfaraz Khan was named as his replacement.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2026: Quick Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd Test |
| Series | India Tour of Sri Lanka 2026 |
| Date | 23–27 August 2026 |
| Venue | Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo |
| Start Time | 10:00 AM IST |
| Local Start Time | 10:00 AM Sri Lanka time |
| Format | Test Cricket |
| Series | 2-match Test series |
| Tournament | ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 |
| India Captain | Shubman Gill |
| India Vice-Captain | KL Rahul |
| Status | Scheduled |
The official Sri Lanka Cricket announcement confirms that the first Test will be held in Galle and the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2026 Date and Time
The 2nd Test between India and Sri Lanka will begin on Sunday, 23 August 2026, and is scheduled to continue until Thursday, 27 August, subject to the result of the match.
Match timings
- Date: 23–27 August 2026
- Start time in India: 10:00 AM IST
- Start time in Sri Lanka: 10:00 AM local time
- Venue: Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo
Current fixture listings also confirm a 10:00 AM start for the second Test.
For Indian viewers, the morning start makes this a convenient Test match to follow throughout the day.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2026 Schedule
The complete two-Test itinerary is:
| Test | Date | Venue | Start Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | 15–19 August 2026 | Galle International Cricket Stadium, Galle | 10:00 AM IST |
| 2nd Test | 23–27 August 2026 | Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo | 10:00 AM IST |
The second Test begins four days after the scheduled end of the opening Test, giving both sides a short turnaround before moving from Galle to Colombo.
Where Will India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2026 Be Played?
The second Test will take place at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, commonly known as SSC Ground, in Colombo.
SSC is one of Sri Lanka’s historic cricket venues and is located at Maitland Place in Colombo. The ground has hosted Test cricket since 1984 and is also home to Sri Lanka Cricket’s headquarters.
Unlike the opening Test venue in Galle, the second match will be played in Colombo. This change of venue could make the second Test tactically different, particularly for batters and spinners as the match progresses.
SSC Ground: Key Information
- Ground: Sinhalese Sports Club Ground
- Common name: SSC Ground
- City: Colombo
- Country: Sri Lanka
- First Test: 1984
- Known for: Test cricket and Sri Lankan domestic cricket
- Second Test: Sri Lanka vs India, 23–27 August 2026
Why Is India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Important?
This is more than a regular bilateral Test.
The two matches form part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle, meaning the result can directly affect both teams’ points percentage and their position in the qualification race.
India entered the Sri Lanka series in fifth place in the WTC standings, while Sri Lanka were also outside the top two. After Sri Lanka’s recent Test series against the West Indies, the latest available standings put Sri Lanka on 20 points with a 41.67 PCT, while India remain on 52 points with a 48.15 PCT.
Because WTC qualification is based on points percentage rather than simply total points, every Test result matters.
WTC points system
A team receives:
- 12 points for a Test win
- 4 points for a draw
- 6 points for a tie
- 0 points for a loss
Therefore, a victory in Colombo would be extremely valuable for either side.
For India, winning the two-Test series would provide an important boost before their remaining WTC assignments against New Zealand and Australia.
India Test Squad for Sri Lanka 2026
India’s original squad was subsequently updated because of injuries.
The latest confirmed changes are:
Jasprit Bumrah ruled out: The fast bowler was withdrawn after failing to fully recover from his left knee injury. Auqib Nabi was added as his replacement.
Sai Sudharsan ruled out: BCCI later confirmed that Sudharsan would miss the Test series, with Sarfaraz Khan named as his replacement.
Updated India Test squad
- Shubman Gill (Captain)
- KL Rahul (Vice-Captain)
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Rishabh Pant (Wicketkeeper)
- Dhruv Jurel (Wicketkeeper)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Manav Suthar
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Gurnoor Brar
- Devdutt Padikkal
- Saransh Jain
- Auqib Nabi
- Sarfaraz Khan
The BCCI’s official squad announcements confirm the changes involving Bumrah, Nabi, Sudharsan and Sarfaraz.
Shubman Gill's Leadership Will Be Closely Watched
The 2026 Sri Lanka tour is another important assignment for Shubman Gill as India’s Test captain.
Gill will lead a relatively young Test group in Sri Lankan conditions, while senior players such as KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant provide experience.
The second Test could become particularly important if the series is still undecided after the Galle match.
India’s batting will need to adapt to Sri Lankan conditions, while the bowling attack will have to compensate for the absence of Bumrah.
Jasprit Bumrah's Absence Changes India's Bowling Combination
One of the biggest storylines around the second Test is the absence of Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah was initially included in India’s squad subject to fitness clearance but was later ruled out because of continuing discomfort from his left knee injury. BCCI subsequently confirmed Auqib Nabi as his replacement.
This creates an opportunity for India’s other fast bowlers and increases the importance of the spin department.
Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar are among the pace options, while Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar give India several spin possibilities.
The final playing XI will depend on pitch conditions, team balance and the result of the first Test.
Auqib Nabi: Player to Watch
One of the most interesting new names in India’s squad is Auqib Nabi.
The Jammu and Kashmir seamer received his maiden senior India Test call-up after a strong run in domestic cricket. Reuters reported that Nabi took 104 wickets across the previous two Ranji Trophy seasons, including 60 wickets during the 2025–26 season.
His selection also makes him the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to receive a call-up to India’s senior Test squad.
Whether Nabi makes his Test debut in Sri Lanka will depend on India’s combination, but his presence adds an interesting subplot to the series.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Predicted Playing XI
The exact playing XI should not be treated as confirmed until the toss.
A possible Indian combination could include:
India predicted XI
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- KL Rahul
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Dhruv Jurel / Devdutt
- Padikkal
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Mohammed Siraj
- Prasidh Krishna
- Gurnoor Brar / Manav Suthar
This is a prediction, not an official team announcement. India’s combination could change depending on the result of the first Test, pitch conditions and player fitness.
Important: Avoid presenting predicted XIs as confirmed information. The official playing XIs are announced at the toss.
India vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head in Tests
India and Sri Lanka have a long Test history, although the teams have not played a Test series against each other in Sri Lanka since 2017.
India’s previous Test tour of Sri Lanka in 2017 ended with a 3–0 series victory for Virat Kohli’s side. The upcoming 2026 series therefore marks India’s return to Sri Lanka for Test cricket after nearly nine years.
The most recent Test series between the sides came in India in 2022, when India won 2–0.
That history gives the 2026 series additional context, but the current squads are considerably different.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Live Streaming in India
For Indian viewers, the Test series is being broadcast by Sony Sports Network, with digital streaming available through SonyLIV.
Current reporting indicates that the series is not being shown on Star Sports or JioHotstar. DD Sports is also reported as an option for viewers with DD Free Dish.
Where to watch
Online: SonyLIV
Free-to-air option: DD Sports for eligible DD Free Dish viewers
Broadcast arrangements can change, so readers should check the broadcaster’s latest listing closer to match day.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Toss Time
The match is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM IST.
The toss is normally conducted shortly before the start of play, around 9:30 AM IST, but the exact toss timing and any changes to the match schedule should be confirmed through the official broadcaster or match centre on the day.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test Pitch and Conditions
The SSC Ground is likely to make pitch conditions an important part of the contest.
Sri Lankan Test venues can become increasingly helpful to spin bowling as matches progress, making the selection and management of spinners an important tactical consideration.
For India, the presence of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav gives the captain multiple spin options.
However, the exact pitch behaviour cannot be confirmed until the surface is inspected closer to the match.
Rather than making a definitive prediction about the pitch before match day, fans should look for the official pitch report and toss update before assessing the likely playing XI.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test: Key Players to Watch
- Shubman Gill: India’s captain will be central to both the batting strategy and the decision-making around team selection.
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: Jaiswal’s aggressive approach can put pressure on Sri Lanka’s bowlers, but Test cricket in Sri Lanka can require patience as well as stroke-making.
- KL Rahul: Rahul’s experience at the top of the order could be particularly valuable in overseas conditions.
- Ravindra Jadeja: Jadeja provides India with balance through both batting and left-arm spin.
- Kuldeep Yadav: Kuldeep could become an important weapon if the Colombo surface offers assistance to wrist-spin.
- Auqib Nabi: The uncapped seamer is one of the most intriguing names in India’s updated squad after receiving his first Test call-up as Bumrah’s replacement.
What Happens After the First Test?
The first Test will be played at Galle International Cricket Stadium from 15 to 19 August.
The teams then move to Colombo for the second Test from 23 to 27 August.
This means the importance of the Colombo Test will depend partly on the result in Galle.
If India win the first Test
India could enter Colombo with a chance to seal a 2–0 series victory.
If Sri Lanka win the first Test
The second match becomes a series decider, increasing pressure on both teams.
If the first Test is drawn
Both sides would need a result in Colombo to win the series.
This makes the second Test potentially one of the most important fixtures of India’s 2026 overseas Test calendar.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2026: What Fans Should Watch
There are several storylines worth following:
- Who replaces Bumrah in India’s bowling attack?
- Will Auqib Nabi make his Test debut?
- How will Sarfaraz Khan fit into India’s batting combination?
- Can India’s spinners dominate in Colombo?
- How will Shubman Gill handle captaincy in overseas conditions?
- Can Sri Lanka take advantage of home conditions?
- How will the result affect the WTC 2025–27 standings?
These questions make the second Test more than just another fixture on India’s calendar.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2026 FAQs
The second Test will be played from 23 to 27 August 2026.
The match will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (SSC) in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The scheduled start time is 10:00 AM IST.
Yes. The two-match Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
Shubman Gill is India's Test captain, with KL Rahul serving as vice-captain.
No. Bumrah has been ruled out of the Test series because of his ongoing left knee injury. Auqib Nabi was named as his replacement.
No. BCCI confirmed that Sai Sudharsan has been ruled out of the Test series, with Sarfaraz Khan named as his replacement.
The match is important because both teams are outside the top two of the WTC standings. A Test victory provides 12 points, while a draw gives four points, so the result can influence each team's points percentage and qualification prospects.
Final Takeaway
The India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2026 will be played from 23–27 August at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo, with play scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM IST.
The match carries significant WTC importance and could also become a defining moment for India’s new Test leadership under Shubman Gill.
The biggest selection developments heading into the series are the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, the addition of Auqib Nabi, and the replacement of Sai Sudharsan by Sarfaraz Khan.
For fans, the second Test offers several major talking points: India’s bowling combination without Bumrah, the potential Test debut of Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan’s return to the squad, the role of India’s spinners and Sri Lanka’s ability to use home conditions.
Bookmark this page for updates on the India vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2026 schedule, playing XI, squads, live streaming, pitch report and match-day developments.