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    India’s playing XI from their last Test in Sri Lanka in 2017

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    Team India’s squad for the two-match series in Sri Lanka to be played next month was announced recently. The BCCI named a 15-member squad led by Shubman Gill, while KL Rahul has been picked as his deputy. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja makes a comeback after being rested for the Test against Afghanistan, while off-spin all-rounder Saransh Jain has earned his maiden Test call-up.

    India’s squad for the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka also features young pacer Gurnoor Brar. Meanwhile, No. 3 batter Sai Sudharsan and lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s availability will be subject to fitness clearance. All-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy do not find a place as they have not recovered from their respective injuries.

    India‘s last Test tour of Sri Lanka was back in 2017, where they featured in a three-match series. The third Test of the 2017 series was played in Pallekele, which the visitors win by an innings and 171 runs to complete a 3-0 whitewash. Ahead of the upcoming tour, we look at India’s playing XI from their last Test in Sri Lanka and where they are now.

    Top order: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara

    Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul opened the innings in the Pallekele Test against Sri Lanka in August 2017. Dhawan scored 119 off 123 balls, while Rahul contributed 85 off 135 deliveries. The duo added 188 for the first wicket.

    Dhawan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in August 2024. He is now an entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist., Dhawan’s opening partner Rahul remains a key member of the Test and ODI squad. He has been picked in the Test squad for the two matches in Sri Lanka next month.

    Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed for eight in the 2017 Pallekele Test. After being dropped over poor form, the right-handed batter retired from all forms of Indian cricket in August 2025. He now works as an analyst and cricket expert.

    Middle order and all-rounders: Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha and Hardik Pandya

    Virat Kohli was the captain of the Indian team during the 2017 Test against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. He scored 42 runs in the match. Kohli retired from T20Is after India’s triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He also quit Tests in May 2025, a few months after a poor tour of Australia. Kohli remains a key member of the ODI squad and is keen on being a part of the 2027 World Cup squad.

    Ajinkya Rahane scored 17 in the Pallekele Test. His last Test was against the West Indies in Port of Spain in July 2023. He hasn’t announced his retirement, but has already begun his career as a cricket expert.

    Keeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha was out for 16 in the third Test against Sri Lanka in 2017. Behind the wickets, he took four catches and effected one stumping. Saha ended up playing 40 Tests and retires from all forms of cricket in February 2025. He currently serves as the head coach of the Bengal U-23 men’s team.

    All-rounder Hardik Pandya was the Player of the Match in the 2017 Pallekele Test. He smashed 108 off 96 with the willow and also picked up the wicket of Angleo Mathews in Sri Lanka’s second innings. Pandya has not played a Test match since September 2018, but remains a key member of the white-ball squads. He is currently recuperating from injury.

    Bowlers: Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav

    After contributing 31 with the ball, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin claimed 2-22 in the first innings and 4-68 in the second. He retired from international cricket in December 2024, midway through the Australia tour and announced his IPL retirement in August 2025. Ashwin runs a hugely popular YouTube channel named ‘Ash ki Baat’.

    Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav scored 26 in the Pallekele Test and followed it up with figures of 4-40 in the first innings and 1-56 in the second. He is a part of India’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka.

    Veteran pacer Mohammad Shami claimed two wickets in the first innings of the 2017 Pallekele Test and three in the second. He is currently out of favor with selectors. Shami last featured in India’s Champions Trophy triumph in 2025.

    Pacer Umesh Yadav went wicketless in the first innings against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in 2017 and picked up two in the second. The 38-year-old last played a Test match for India in June 2023, but has not announced his retirement yet.