India to Tour Sri Lanka for Vital Two-Match WTC Test Series This August

New Delhi: India will travel to Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series starting from August 15. Both matches are part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle. This will be India's first Test tour of Sri Lanka since 2017, when they swept the series 3-0.

What is the schedule?

The first Test will be played in Galle from August 15 to 19. The second and final Test moves to the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo and runs from August 23 to 27. Both matches will start at 10 am Indian Standard Time.

Why does this series matter?

WTC points are on the line and both teams need them badly. India are currently sitting fifth in the points table. Sri Lanka are just below them in sixth. A strong showing in this series could help either team close the gap on the teams ahead of them and keep their WTC final hopes alive. There is real pressure on both sides to win.

How does India Look coming in?

India recently beat Afghanistan in a one-off Test match. The team will be looking to carry that momentum into the Sri Lanka series. India have a dominant record against Sri Lanka in Tests overall. Out of 46 matches played between the two sides, India have won 22 while Sri Lanka have managed only 7. Seventeen matches ended in draws.

What is India's record in Sri Lanka?

On Sri Lankan soil the contest has been tighter. The two sides have met 24 times in Sri Lanka. India have won 9 of those, Sri Lanka 7 and 8 ended in draws. The last time India played a Test in Sri Lanka was in 2017. They won all three matches that series and came home with a clean sweep. Sri Lanka are currently in the West Indies playing a two-match Test series. They lost the first match badly and will be fighting to stay in the series before returning home to face India.