SRI LANKA CRICKET NEWS
(AUGUST 2026)
Compiled by Victor Melder
The Indian cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on August 4 ahead of their upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. India will play a three-day warm-up match instead of the initially planned four-day fixture, with the game set to commence on August 7 at the NCC Grounds in Colombo. The first Test of the series will be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19, while the second Test is scheduled to be held at the SSC Ground in Colombo from August 23 to 27. (Daily Mirror, 2.8.2026)
Sri Lankan male and female cricketers have come together to form the Sri Lankan Professional Cricketers’ Association (SLPCA), aimed at protecting and promoting the interests of the country’s active professional cricketers. Sri Lanka men’s white-ball skipper Kusal Mendis has been appointed the inaugural President of the SLPCA. “We’re proud to have established SLPCA to represent Sri Lanka’s players at this important time, and we look forward to working constructively and collaboratively with Sri Lanka Cricket, the Transformation Committee, and other stakeholders as cricket continues to grow,” Mendis said in a statement. Sri Lanka women’s captain Chamari Athapaththu welcomed the move. “The setting up of the Players’ Association is another important step forward and sees Sri Lankan cricketers join many of our international colleagues in cricket and other sports who already benefit from effective player representation,” Athapaththu said. According to the association’s proposed constitution, its primary objective is to represent and negotiate on behalf of players with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), particularly on matters relating to employment terms, disputes, legal and financial advice, and a code of conduct. The inaugural meeting of the association was held on Thursday afternoon, with players participating both physically and virtually. The agenda included the adoption of the constitution, appointment of the initial executive committee and trustees, among other matters. The new association is also expected to seek membership of the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) formally known as Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA). However, SLC does not recognise the WCA, a development that could lead to a fresh dispute between the players and the cricket administration. Sri Lankan cricketers had previously established an association in 2002 when a group of former players formed the Sri Lanka Cricketers’ Association to assist cricketers and act as a go-between with SLC. The association became a founding member of the FICA in 2003, but severed its ties with the organisation in 2018 following differences. Although the Sri Lanka Cricketers’ Association has remained in existence for more than two decades, it has not been active in recent years, paving the way for the formation of the new body representing active professional cricketers. (Sunday Times, 9.8.2026)
The touring Indians, beat Sri Lanka Cricket XI by 6 wickets to win the opening match of their tour played at the NCC Grounds, Colombo. Scores:
Sri Lanka XI, 1st Innings – 363/8 dec (Rasantha 71, Fernando, 66, Dinushka 52, Suntha 2/33, Jadeja 2/33)
India – 1st Innings – 357/6 dec (Paddikal 142, Jadeja 63, Manoj 2/33, Mendis 2/77)
Sri Lannka XI, 2nd Innings – 200/6 dec ( Fernando 63, Dhanajaya 46, Bandara 23, Jadeja 2/33, Bar 2.37)
India, 2nd Innings – 214/4 (Jalswal 61, Gill 44, Nauwantha 2/57)
Sri Lanka Cricket’s Selection Committee has announced a 16-member squad for the first Test of the upcoming two-match series against India. The opening match, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 cycle, is scheduled to be played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from August 15 to 19, 2026. All-rounder Dhananjaya De Silva will captain the Sri Lankan side, while Kamindu Mendis has been named vice-captain. Sri Lanka First Test Squad: Dhananjaya De Silva (Captain), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis (Vice-Captain), Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella (Wicket-Keeper), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka. (Daily Mirror, 12.8.2026)
Dinesh Chandimal had to leave the field after sustaining an injury to his right shoulder and neck during the first session of Day 4 of the first Test against India. The incident occurred at the end of the fourth over when Chandimal dived and landed awkwardly while attempting to save a boundary. The 36-year-old appeared to be in immediate discomfort, clutching his neck while remaining on the ground. A statement from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that he was assessed by the team physiotherapist and doctor on the field before being taken to hospital for a precautionary scan.(Daily Mirror, 18.8.2026)
The touring Indians beat Sri Lanka by 165 runs, in the first test played at Galle international Stadium. Scores:
India, first inn – 462 (Padikkal 167, Rahul 82, Jures 51, Pant 39, Jayasuriya 4/109, Nuwantha 3/175, A. Fernando 2/63)
Sri Lanka, first inn – 284 (Dinusha 100, Dickwella 80, Suthar 4/76, Jadeja 3/57)
India, second inn – !93 (Pant 66, Padikkal 44, Rahul 35, A. Feernando 4/31, Jayasuriya 3/43, Kumara 2/28)
Sri Lanka, second inn – 206 (Dinunsha 84, de Silva 59, Suthar 6/55, Keshna 2/16)
Player of the match: Deevadutt Padikkal (India)
Test Debut: Keshara Nuwantha, Pasindu Sooriyabandra, Raveendra Wimalasiri (Sri Lanka), Ashan Raza (India)
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed former Sri Lanka cricketer Hashan Tillakaratne as the Batting Coach of the Senior Men’s Program. Tillakaratne will be based at SLC’s National High Performance Center and will work with national players as part of the Senior Men’s Program. The former World Cup winner has previously served as the batting coach of the Sri Lanka men’s national team and as head coach of the Sri Lanka women’s national team. He has also served as head coach of the Bangladesh Women’s National Team. Tillakaratne represented Sri Lanka from 1989 to 2003, featuring in 83 Test matches and 200 One-Day Internationals. He accumulated more than 8,200 international runs across the two formats during his playing career. (Daily Mirror, 22.8.2026)
The second test between the touring Indians and Sri Lanka, played at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds, Colombo, ended in a draw. Scores:
India, 1st Innings – 503/9 dec (Paddikal 117, Jurel 115no, Pant 63, Jaiswal 45, Jadeja 43, A.Fernando 4/106, Jayasuriya Nuwantha 2/154)
2/132.
Sri Lanka, st Innings – 290 (Dinusha 103, Sooriyabandara 80, Kamindu Mendis 32, Krushna 3/52, Suthar 3/85)
Sri Lanka, 2nd Innings – 492/9 dec ( Dinusha 133no, Sooriyabandara 82, Kamindu Mendis 55, Nuwantha 46,Jadeja 3/94, Suthar 3/21)
India won the 2-match series, 1-0.
Points: Sri Lanka 4, India 4.
Player of the Match Sonal Dinusha (Sri Lanka)
Player of the Series: Devadutt Paddikal (India)
Test debut: Sarnash Jain (India), Kamil Mishra (Sri Lanka)
