India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test
Galle International Stadium, Galle
Sat, 15 Aug 2026
10:00 AM IST, 4:30 AM GMT
Pitch Report according to previous Records:
The Galle International Stadium pitch is a slow, turning sub-continental track that heavily favors spin bowlers, deteriorates rapidly over five days, and traditionally rewards teams that choose to bat first.
Official Live Pitch Report:
Russel Arnold: "Steamy morning in Galle. Very different fifth day in terms of the pitch we see. Normally, a Galle pitch come the fifth day, it looks like now, this is way too full. It's the rough. These type of areas appear on either side. That's where it gets really dangerous. But what we see on this pitch is something very, very different. On a good length, in line with the stumps, lots of indentations. Now, that's what's making life tricky for the batters. When it hits these indentations, it flies through. When it doesn't, it's slow turn as we usually see. That's why the batters have been guessing all along. But at certain times, when the ball gets softer and you get yourself in, batters have trusted their defense and made the bowling look ordinary. And another surprising factor is also how the fast bowlers have been effective. They have been the ones getting you the breakthrough with effort and different lines and lengths. So there is a variable pace on offer here. Six wickets in hand for Sri Lanka. India 288 runs to defend. I think they've got all the time in the world. Average overs played in a Test match here, 318. We are 39 short of that. So in terms of that, we haven't lost too much time either. Well, can Sri Lanka hang in there? I think this first half hour is crucial. If they can get through that, maybe they'll take it deep into the afternoon session."
Galle International Stadium Test Matches Records:
Last 4 Test matches 1st inn avg score: 455
Last 4 Test matches 2nd inn avg score: 252
Last 4 Test matches 3rd inn avg score: 270
Last 4 Test matches 4th inn avg score: 223
Last 4 Test matches win records: bowl first 1 - 3 bat first
IND vs SL Head to Head in last 5 Tests:
India 5 - 0 Sri Lanka