‘India will miss Bumrah, it’s advantage Sri Lanka’ Angelo Mathews

Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews believes Shubman Gill-led Indian team will miss pacer Jasprit Bumrah dearly in the two-match Test series, starting at Galle on Saturday. The former SL all-rounder also reckoned that this offers the hosts the best chance to win the series given India’s comparatively inexperienced bowling attack.

“Yes, it [India’s inexperienced bowling attack will be an advantage to SL] because Bumrah has got the skill to bowl in any condition. And he would have been lethal, especially in Galle with the reverse swing. That’s why I feel Sri Lanka is quite lucky not to come up against Bumrah. But [pacer Mohammed] Siraj, [spinner Ravindra] Jadeja and [wrist spinner] Kuldeep Yadav, they’ve got skills too. So, our batters can’t be complacent. They have got to respect [the opposition] and play the match with a positive attitude. But, India will definitely miss Bumrah,” Mathews told mid-day about India’s bowling line-up, during a virtual media interaction organised by the Sony Sports Network on Friday.

India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj (left) with speedsters Auqib Nabi (centre) and Gurnoor Brar in Galle on Thursday. PIC/PTI h-doctor.club

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Mathews, 39, a veteran of 119 Tests, 226 ODIs, and 90 T20Is also had a warning for the Dhananjaya de Silva-led Lankans though. He insisted that the batters should not be complacent.

“Both India and Sri Lanka are in a transitional phase at the moment, so I think that’s going to be a challenge for them. Obviously, there’s a huge advantage for Sri Lanka playing at home, knowing the conditions well, knowing their strategies, etc. But India also has played a lot of cricket in SL. So, it’s not new for them too. It will be an even contest, I believe. Whoever plays aggressive, positive cricket will come out good,” Mathews said.

Jasprit Bumrah

When asked what should be the strategy of the Gary Kirsten-coached SL team to counter visitors, he said: “It’s basically a lot to do with the mindset and the attitude. You’ve got all the videos and there are no secrets in international cricket nowadays. So, it’s just the right body language and mindset that they need to take on to the field. It’s never easy to play against India in any condition. So, it’s a matter of having that right attitude.”

Mathews also feels having coach Gary Kirsten is an asset to the Lankans. “We have a world-class coach [Kirsten], one of the best in the world, if not the best. He knows exactly what needs to be done. You need to trust the coach, give him what he needs, and support him all the way. And of course, be patient,” added Mathews.

2
No of times India have lost against SL in nine Tests since 2010; both times at Galle

Galle [Sri Lanka], August 15 (ANI): Team India celebrated the nation’s 80th Independence Day by hoisting the Tricolour in Galle on Saturday, ahead of the opening Test against Sri Lanka.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video where head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill of the Indian team, along with other team members, participated in the flag-hoisting ceremony.

“On the occasion of Independence Day, #TeamIndia gathered at Galle to hoist the Tricolour ahead of the First #SLvIND Test," BCCI wrote on X.

On the occasion of Independence Day, #TeamIndia gathered at Galle to hoist the Tricolour ahead of the First #SLvIND Test.#IndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/tHKIggV6AU

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 15, 2026

Meanwhile, India will become the first Asian team and only the third side after England and Australia to play 600 Tests when the first Test of the two-match series gets underway on August 15, India’s Independence Day.

Earlier, Gill, who took over as India’s Test captain last year, interacted with the media on the eve of the Test match and said the opportunity to lead India in such a significant match made the occasion even more special.

“It’s a very big honour and privilege. Any Test match that you captain for your country is a huge deal. Obviously, leading my country in our 600th Test match is a big honour and privilege for me, and doing that on Independence Day is even more special for us," Gill said at the pre-match press conference.

India are currently fifth in the World Test Championship 2025-27 standings after four wins, four defeats and a draw from nine matches; Gill acknowledged the importance of the Sri Lanka series in India’s bid to reach the final. The second test of the series is also significant for Sri Lanka, who is currently sixth in the WTC standings.

“Obviously, the main goal is to play in the World Test Championship final, which is next year. We have played about nine Tests in this cycle, and I think we have to win around six or seven more to have a good chance at qualifying. In terms of that, I think this is a very important series for us, and we have had the right kind of preparation leading up to it," he said.

India Test Squad: Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan.

Sri Lanka Test Squad: Dhananjaya De Silva (captain), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, and Dilshan Madushanka. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test: भारत बनाम श्रीलंका दो मैचों की टेस्‍ट सीरीज का आगाज 15 अगस्‍त को गॉल में हो गया है। गॉल इंटरनेशनल स्‍टेडियम में खेले जा रहे पहले टेस्‍ट में भारत ने टॉस जीतकर पहले बल्‍लेबाजी का फैसला किया है। टॉस जीतकर कप्‍तान शुभमन गिल ने कहा कि अच्छा विकेट लग रहा है और मौसम भी अच्छा है। हम पहले बैटिंग करना पसंद करेंगे। हम उसी प्लेइंग इलेवन के साथ उतर रहे हैं, जो पिछले मैच में खेली थी। हमारे पास पांच गेंदबाज दो फास्ट बॉलर और तीन स्पिनर हैं। हमारे लिए यह स्वतंत्रता दिवस और 600वां टेस्ट मैच है, इसलिए हम इसका बेसब्री से इंतजार कर रहे थे।

New Delhi [India], August 15 (ANI): Indian cricketing legends and prominent players extended greetings to the nation on Saturday, with several taking to social media to mark the country’s 80th Independence Day.

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar shared a picture featuring the Indian national flag and wrote, “Happy Independence Day!"

Team India T20I skipper Shreyas Iyer also extended his greetings, writing, “Happy Independence Day" on X.

Indian spin legend Anil Kumble wished the nation, saying, “Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind."

Former India women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj also extended her greetings and wrote, “Wishing everyone a very Happy 80th Independence Day!"

Former India captain Rohit Sharma shared a picture of himself in Team India’s jersey and wrote while sharing an Instagram story, “Always proud to carry the Happy Independence Day!"

The cricketers joined people across the country in celebrating India’s Independence Day and expressing their patriotic spirit on the occasion.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reiterated India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics and announced a nationwide talent hunt to identify sporting talent among children aged five to 15 years, while addressing the nation on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day.

Addressing the nation from the iconic Red Fort on Saturday, PM Modi said India’s performance in sports has been improving, and the country is moving forward as a strong contender to bid for the 2036 Olympics.

Highlighting the scope of the Olympic Games, the Prime Minister said there are around 40 sports and nearly 325-350 events, but India does not participate or qualify in nearly two-thirds of them.

“In 2030, India is also going to host the Commonwealth Games," PM Modi said.

“We have decided that the Olympics 2036 should be held in India. In the disciplines in which India does not play or qualify, India will focus on these disciplines, and we will launch a talent hunt campaign," he added.

PM Modi said India needs to identify and nurture young talent in preparation for the 2036 Olympics, particularly children who are currently five, 10 or 15 years old.

“We have to pay attention to our sons and daughters. Therefore, a talent hunt campaign will be conducted in every village, every city and every school to identify sporting talent among children aged five to 15," he said.

The Prime Minister said the identified talent would be provided specialised training to prepare them to represent the country at the highest level.

“Their talent will be identified and, after providing them specialised training, they will be prepared to become good players representing the country," PM Modi said. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)