India vs Sri Lanka Live Streaming Online and Free Telecast in India, 1st Test 2026
Catch all the action of the India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2026 (InsuranceDekho Cup) live! Find out when and where to watch this exciting ICC World Test Championship match from Galle International Stadium on August 15, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM IST.
The highly anticipated InsuranceDekho Cup, featuring the 1st Test between India and Sri Lanka, is set to commence on Saturday, August 15, 2026. This red-ball battle, which forms a vital part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle, will see Shubman Gill's India take on Dhananjaya de Silva's Sri Lanka at the iconic Galle International Stadium in Galle, Sri Lanka. The match is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM Indian Standard Time (IST), which aligns with the local time in Sri Lanka. Indian Cricket Team's 600th Test Special: Know All About India's Record in Milestone Tests.
India, currently placed fifth in the WTC standings with 48.15 points percentage, will be keen to improve their position after a challenging period that included home series defeats to New Zealand and South Africa. This will be only India's second Test match of 2026, following a one-off fixture against Afghanistan in June. Sri Lanka, sitting just below India in sixth place with a 41.67 points percentage, will be looking to leverage their home advantage, especially at a venue known for assisting spinners.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test (InsuranceDekho Cup) |
| Competition | ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 |
| Date | Saturday, August 15, 2026 |
| Start Time | 10:00 AM IST (10:00 AM SLST) |
| Venue | Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka |
| Captains | Shubman Gill (India), Dhananjaya de Silva (Sri Lanka) |
Where to Watch India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2026 in India
For fans in India, comprehensive coverage of the India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test will be available across television and digital platforms.
Television Broadcast: The match will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network. Viewers can tune into Sony Sports Ten 5 SD & HD for English commentary, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD for Hindi commentary, and Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD for Tamil and Telugu commentary.
Free-to-Air (FTA) Telecast: For those with access to DD Free Dish, the match will also be available on DD Sports, offering a free viewing option.
Live Streaming Online: Digital streaming of the 1st Test will be exclusively available on the SonyLIV mobile application and website. India's Likely Playing XI for Sri Lanka Test: Check Predicted 11 for IND vs SL Cricket Match in Galle.
Squads and Team News
India's squad for the series includes key players such as captain Shubman Gill, vice-captain KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Mohammed Siraj. Young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal are also part of the setup. Notably, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out due to a left knee injury.
Sri Lanka will be led by Dhananjaya de Silva and features players like Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis, and spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis. They will be without the services of Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka for this series. Galle Weather Forecast and Rain Chances for India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2026.
Head-to-Head and Venue Record
In Test cricket history, India holds a significant advantage over Sri Lanka. Out of 46 Tests played between the two nations, India has won 22, while Sri Lanka has secured 7 victories, with 17 matches ending in a draw. However, at the Galle International Stadium, the playing field has been more balanced. In the five Tests contested here between India and Sri Lanka, the hosts have a 3-2 edge, with no draws recorded at this venue. The last Test series between India and Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka was in 2017, which India won emphatically by a 3-0 margin.
As both teams eye crucial WTC points and look to start the series strong, the 1st Test in Galle promises a captivating contest for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2026 09:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
