29 July,2026 07:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
KL Rahul (Pic: File Pic)
Team India is set to clash against Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series. The first is scheduled to be played from August 15 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium near Galle Fort.
Ahead of the series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named veteran wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul as the vice-captain.
During the series, the right-handed batsman will be eyeing a huge feat in his career. He is falling short of just 170 runs from completing 10,000 runs in his international career for India.
Currently, Rahul has accumulated 9830 runs in 238 international appearances for India. With a top score of 199 runs, he also has 62 half-centuries and 22 tons to his name.
Enjoying the top spot on the list is legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar. Having represented India in 664 international matches, he has registered 34,357 runs. With a top score of an unbeaten 248 runs, he also has 164 half-centuries and 100 centuries.
On the other hand, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja marks his comeback after recovering from a tennis elbow injury sustained during the 2026 Indian Premier League in May, reinforcing India's spin department in spin-friendly subcontinental conditions.
The squad also features Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Dhruv Jurel, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, and Devdutt Padikkal.
Lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah's appearance remains subject to fitness clearance. Additionally, the left-handed batsman B Sai Sudharsan's participation relies on passing a fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE).
This two-match series counts towards the ongoing 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. India currently occupy the fifth spot on the WTC table, holding four wins, four losses, and one draw across nine fixtures. Under Gill's leadership, India have accumulated 52 points with a points percentage (PCT) of 48.15 per cent.
Recently, the "Men in Blue" registered a 3-0 T20I series win against Zimbabwe under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. This was the first series win since his appointment as captain in the shortest format's series.
Shubman Gill (captain), KL Rahul (vice-captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal and Saransh Jain.
