The warm-up match will be played at the NCC Ground in Colombo from August 7.
The warm-up match between India and the local Sri Lankan XI has been trimmed to a three-day fixture, running from August 7 to August 9 at the NCC Ground in Colombo, Cricbuzz reported on Saturday (August 1).
When the BCCI announced India’s squad for the Sri Lanka Test tour earlier this week, its official release stated: "Ahead of the series, the team will play a four-day practice match in Colombo, starting on August 7."
According to the report, all concerned have been informed of the alteration in practice match schedule. The reason for this move remains unknow, but multiple sources in the Indian board and team management confirmed the change.
Fans will be able to watch the action unfold as the practice match is set to be broadcast live, the report further claimed.
The Indian contingent departs for Colombo on August 4 to undergo preliminary training sessions ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka.
The Shubman Gill-led squad views the warm-up match as a critical stepping stone to adapt to local subcontinental pitches, as the team has not played a Test match since June 2026.
Following the warm-up game, the visitors will travel to Galle for the first Test beginning August 15, before returning to Colombo for the final Test at the SSC starting August 23.
The series is extremely crucial for Gill’s men as they aim to climb from fifth position in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings.
Left-handed batter Sai Sudharsan (toe injury) and premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah (knee issue) are both showing positive signs of recovery at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) and remain on track to clear fitness ahead of the tour.
India’s squad for Tests against Sri Lanka: Shubman Gill [C], KL Rahul [VC], Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant [WK], Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel [WK], Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain
Note: Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah’s availability will be subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI COE.