Shubman Gill (captain), Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Sarfaraz Khan, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar

Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Kamindu Mendis, Saha Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Priyanath Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Pasindu Sooriyabandara

The clearest lesson from Galle for Sri Lanka was the gap between the two batting units. India made 462 in their first innings and secured a 178-run lead before Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284. The hosts then struggled in their chase of 372, eventually being dismissed for 206. The absence of three established batters makes that challenge even tougher. Sri Lanka cannot simply rely on replacements, however. Their remaining experienced players need to take responsibility and give the newer members of the batting order time to settle. If Sri Lanka can turn promising starts into substantial scores, the contest could look very different.

Prabath Jayasuriya showed his quality in Galle with figures of 7/152, while India’s spin resources remain a major threat following Suthar’s match-winning display. Debutant Keshara Nuwantha also impressed with his right-arm off-breaks, taking four wickets and repeatedly producing ripping deliveries that showed little sign of a player new to the international stage. Asitha Fernando and Lahiru Kumara, meanwhile, found their rhythm in the second innings and had a greater impact than India’s pacers. The battle between the two attacks could once again prove decisive, even if Colombo presents a different kind of challenge.

The move from Galle to the Sinhalese Sports Club presents a different challenge. The Colombo surface is expected to be more balanced rather than an outright spin-friendly track. It could offer batters a good platform while bringing the slower bowlers into the contest as the Test progresses. That could make patience and shot selection especially important for both sides. Sri Lanka will still hope their spinners can take advantage of any assistance the surface provides.

Despite the defeat in Galle, Sri Lanka did show encouraging signs with the bat, particularly through Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella. Dinusha produced an excellent 100 in the first innings, while Dickwella made a valuable 80. The pair also shared a crucial 146-run sixth-wicket partnership after Sri Lanka had slipped to 90/5. Dinusha then followed his century with a composed 84 in the second innings. His performances showed that Sri Lanka’s batting group has enough resilience to trouble India if the top and middle order can provide greater support.

Sri Lanka’s challenge is now about more than simply finding a way to beat India. The hosts have suffered several selection setbacks, with Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal ruled out of the second Test, while Pathum Nissanka remains unavailable. Chandimal’s concussion in Galle means he must complete the mandatory seven-day rest period, removing another experienced player from the lineup. Sri Lanka have responded by adding Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige to the squad, providing fresh options as they attempt to reshape a batting order that struggled to consistently match India’s output in Galle.

That puts even greater responsibility on Dhananjaya de Silva, Kamindu Mendis and the rest of the experienced core. They will have to guide a side that suddenly has several new pieces to fit together.

One of India’s biggest selection questions that India will face later on is what to do at No. 3. Devdutt Padikkal came into the side after Sai Sudharsan was ruled out, and his 167 has made it extremely difficult to leave him out. He dealt confidently with Sri Lanka’s spin in Galle and followed his century with another useful 44, giving the team management a strong reason to retain the same combination for the challenges. There were plenty of other positives in the batting. KL Rahul made 82 while Rishabh Pant made an entertaining 66 in the second dig and Dhruv Jurel contributed a valuable fifty.

India have made a strong start. Their batting has depth and bowling attack has penetration with a match-winner in Manav Suthar, who claimed 10 wickets on only his second Test appearance. Devdutt Padikkal was just as influential. His magnificent century in the first innings earned him Player of the Match honours and strengthened his case for the No. 3 position. The result also gives Shubman Gill’s side an opportunity to finish the series strongly and build further momentum in a WTC campaign where every result matters. India will not want to ease off after such a dominant opening performance, particularly with several players still establishing themselves in a relatively new-look Test side.

Good morning, folks! Welcome to our live coverage of the 2nd Test between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo.  The teams have headed to the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo for the second and final Test of the series, with India leading 1-0 after a big 165-run win in Galle. The victory has kept India’s World Test Championship campaign alive and another positive result will further boost their chances. For Sri Lanka, the equation is far more straightforward: they must win in Colombo to level the series and keep their own WTC hopes alive. With the series on the line, the pressure is firmly on the hosts to respond. Stick with us for the all the latest updates!