Sri Lanka Cricket XI Announced for India Practice Match; Sonal Dinusha to Captain Warm-Up Side

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced its SLC XI squad for the three-day warm-up match against Shubman Gill-led India, scheduled to begin on August 7 at the NCC Grounds in Colombo. The fixture will serve as a crucial opportunity for several Sri Lankan players to stake their claim for selection in the national Test squad.

All-rounder Sonal Dinusha has been appointed captain of the side. The 25-year-old has represented Sri Lanka in three Test matches since making his debut against Bangladesh last year and will now lead a squad featuring a mix of experienced and emerging first-class cricketers.

Seven players who were part of Sri Lanka’s recent Test setup have been included in the SLC XI. With many senior cricketers currently involved in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026, the warm-up match provides selectors with another chance to assess the available talent before announcing the squad for the upcoming two-Test series against India.

SLC XI includes standout performers from India A series

The squad features left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera, who impressed against India A by taking 10 wickets across the series, including a five-wicket haul. Another notable inclusion is Kesara Nuwantha, who also claimed a five-for against India A in Galle.

Fast bowlers Lahiru Kumara and Vishwa Fernando add international experience to the attack, while players such as Nishan Madushka, Ramesh Mendis, Pavan Rathnayake, and Ahan Wickramasinghe will also look to strengthen their Test credentials.

Sonal Dinusha’s first-class record

Dinusha has featured in three Tests for Sri Lanka, scoring 186 runs in five innings with a highest score of 92 while taking six wickets. His first-class numbers underline his all-round ability, having scored 3,698 runs with 11 centuries and 19 fifties, alongside claiming 133 wickets, including seven five-wicket hauls.

Sri Lanka Cricket XI squad for practice match vs India

Nishan Madushka, Ravindu Rashantha, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha (captain), Anjala Bandara (wicketkeeper), Nipun Dananjaya, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Asanka Manoj, Isitha Wijesundara, Ramesh Mendis, Kesara Nuwantha, Dilum Sudeera.

India likely to test bench strength in warm-up fixture

India are expected to use the three-day game to fine-tune preparations before the Test series. Captain Shubman Gill will lead the side, while uncapped players Auqib Nabi and Saransh Jain are likely to feature.

Sai Sudharsan remains doubtful for the practice match due to fitness concerns, which could open the door for Devdutt Padikkal to bat at No. 3. The match may also mark the competitive return of veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who has not played since the 2026 Indian Premier League.

India’s Test squad for Sri Lanka tour

Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi.