India sharpen spin and reverse-swing plans in Colombo

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Trial by spin with a hint of reverse: Inside India's final net session in Colombo cricket news image
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India completed its final Colombo net session with an extended examination against spin and reverse swing before travelling to Galle for the Test series opener on August 15, 2026. Sarfaraz Khan joined the squad as Sai Sudharsan’s replacement and trained with the group at the NCC Ground on Monday.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir watched from close range as India’s batters worked in the expected batting order for Galle. The team also rotated players during the session to vary the challenge and test concentration on a deteriorating surface.

Dry centre pitch puts focus on India’s spin preparation

India used a dry, cracked centre strip designed to reproduce the type of conditions the team expects during the series. Batting took place from one end, causing the surface to become progressively more difficult across a session that lasted more than three hours.

Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain delivered most of the bowling. India’s batters responded with long strides, defensive shots, sweeps and reverse-sweeps before being given opportunities to play more aggressively near the end of their respective turns.

The surface resembled a late-match pitch from the multi-day warm-up fixture that ended on Sunday. According to the Times of India report, the team used new, old and semi-new balls to vary the practice conditions.

Shubman Gill faces reverse-swing drill in practice nets

India captain Shubman Gill moved to the practice nets because Auqib Nabi was the only fast bowler operating during the centre-wicket session. Throwdown specialists and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak tested the right-hander with one new ball and two older balls to reproduce possible reverse swing.

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Gill was largely secure while leaving deliveries and driving through the covers, although several balls bounced awkwardly or stayed low. The captain later moved to the centre wicket alongside Devdutt Padikkal, who was identified as India’s expected No. 3 for Galle.

Auqib Nabi carried the fast-bowling workload during the session. Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna were rested after taking part in the multi-day fixture.

India set to continue preparations after reaching Galle

India are scheduled to reach Galle on August 11 and hold three further practice sessions before the series opener at Galle International Stadium on August 15. The squad’s Colombo preparation included daily work at the NCC Ground across six days, combining the multi-day fixture with net sessions held at different times.

Sarfaraz trained after exchanging greetings with the support staff and speaking with Gill. KL Rahul and Padikkal also worked together during the session, while players received stretching and recovery treatment after completing their practice.