Team India Injuries: Under the guidance of Gautam Gambhir, the Indian team will play the first match of the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in Galle from Saturday. Due to injuries to key players like Jasprit Bumrah, Washington Sundar and Sai Sudarshan, the Indian team is largely dependent on youngsters. India’s record under Gambhir’s coaching has been mixed so far, with the team winning 8 and losing 10 in 20 Test matches. After a recent crushing 2-0 defeat at home to South Africa, India have slipped to fifth place in the WTC points table, while Sri Lanka are sixth.

Ravindra Jadeja will take charge on a spin-friendly pitch

On a turning gale pitch, India’s spin attack will be led by veteran Ravindra Jadeja, who will be joined by Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar. Additionally, the selectors included fast bowler Aqib Nabi, who took 60 wickets in domestic cricket, and spinner Saransh Jain in the Test squad for the first time. Former veteran captain Sunil Gavaskar said that it will not be easy to beat Sri Lanka at home and India will have to give it their all in this series to maintain their contention for the WTC finals. India will need to win at least six of the remaining nine matches to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.

Injury concerns plague both teams.

After the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the Indian batting line-up looks somewhat vulnerable to spin, although former Sri Lanka fast bowler Chaminda Vaas believes there is no dearth of talent in the Indian team. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan team is also battling injury issues and will be without opener Pathum Nissanka and wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis. Nissanka could be replaced by Nishan Fernando, while 33-year-old wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella is back in the squad after a three-year ban.

The historic 50th Test will be played at the Galle Stadium.

This match will be very special for the Galle International Stadium, as it is the ground’s 50th Test match. Sri Lanka have won 27 of the 49 Tests played at this beautiful stadium, which has a backdrop of a 17th-century Dutch fort and clock tower. Galle pitches have always been favorable to spinners, with most matches not reaching the fifth day. Sri Lanka have fielded a spin-led side under Prabhat Jayasuriya for this match, while uncapped off-spinner Kesara Nuvantha may also get a chance to make his debut. The second Test of the series will be played in Colombo from August 23.