Lanka Tests: We must be ready with all answers, says Gautam Gambhir

Come 15 August, and India enter a critical phase to reboot their campaign in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle with a two-Test away series against Sri Lanka. They, however, received a scare ahead of their three-day tour game against Sri Lanka XI from tomorrow as Test captain Shubman Gill copped two blows during a practice session on Thursday.

According to reports in the visiting media, Gill was struck on the right thumb while batting against seamer Gurnoor Brar at the nets. While he continued his practice after his thumb was strapped up by the physio, Gill was again hit while fielding at first slip. The captain, however, continued his session without any apparent discomfort.   

Coach Gautam Gambhir, meanwhile, wanted his team to adapt to the call of the conditions against their sub-continental rivals quickly. “We know what’s in front of us, we know what we are playing for. We can do the volume, we can push our limits, we can tick all the boxes,” Gambhir was quoted as telling BCCI media. 

“Come 15th morning, whether we are batting first, bowling first, we’re absolutely ready with every answer, every question that’s thrown at us, and every answer we are ready to give. So make sure we tick all the boxes from now on.”

This series marks India’s first WTC assignment since their disappointing home defeat to South Africa late last year. Since then, India have bounced back with a victory in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in June, but the team will be eager to secure a series win in Sri Lanka to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the WTC final at The Oval next year.

After having missed out on the 2025 final, India again have quite a bit of catching up to do as they are fifth on the WTC standings with a points percentage of 48.15 - trailing Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh.

Welcoming the two new faces – off spinning allrounder Saransh Jain and pacer Aquib Nabi, Gambhir said: ‘’To start with, Saransh, congratulations. You’ve worked extremely hard to be here. Make sure that you make your family and your country proud, whenever you get that opportunity. Secondly, I want to congratulate Auqib. You had a phenomenal last season, made J&K win the Ranji Trophy, which is a great achievement. Congratulations once again."

 A last minute injury update on Jasprit Bumrah opened the doors for Nabi, who claimed an impressive 60 wickets to help Jammu & Kashmir secure their maiden title. Joining him is 33-year-old all-rounder Saransh Jain, who has also received his first Test call-up after consistently delivering with both bat and ball for Madhya Pradesh in the domestic circuit. 

Series schedule: First Test: August 15-19, Galle
Second Test: August 23-27, Colombo