​India return to Sri Lanka to play Test cricket after nearly nine years as the teams face off in the first Test of the 2026 series at Galle starting from August 15.The last Test match that India played in Sri Lanka was in August 2017 where they completed their 3-0 series win with an innings-and-171 run win in the third Test at Pallekele. MAKE YOUR BET WITH DAFABET AND GET UP TO 200% WELCOME BONUSWhile India has not lost any Test series in Sri Lanka since 2015, their most recent official Test series against England in 2025 finishing 2-2 after five Tests.On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s latest Tests were against the West Indies earlier this year and the two-Test series ended 1-0 in favour of the Caribbean nation, with the second Test ending in a draw.The two Tests also count in the race to the World Test Championship 27 final, as India currently sit fifth with 48.15% points, having won four, lost four and drawn one of their nine WTC Tests. Sri Lanka are sixth on 41.67% after four matches.The Sporting News has all you need to know about Sri Lanka vs. India 1st Test, including date, time, and how and where to watch it.Add The Sporting News as a preferred news sourceSri Lanka vs. India 1st Test live stream, TV channelHere’s how to watch Sri Lanka vs. India 1st Test live in India:TV channel: Sony Sports NetworkLive streaming: SonyLivFree-to-air: DD SportsSony Sports Network channels will telecast the series in India, while fans can live stream the action through SonyLiv app and website.The Test series will also be available to watch live on DD Sports (DD Free Dish).MORE: Visit Cricket News for all the latest cricket coverage and opinionWhat time does Sri Lanka vs. India 1st Test start?The first Test between Sri Lanka and India will be played at Galle International Stadium in Galle, Sri Lanka.Play is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. local time (SLST), which translates to 10:00 a.m. IST on Saturday, August 15 for viewers in India.Sri Lanka vs. India 1st Test team news, lineupsThe hosts named a 16-member squad for the first Test, with Dhananjaya de Silva continuing to lead the side. Their combination is also likely to be spin-heavy given the traditional conditions at Galle.Sri Lanka could go with two specialist spinners in Ramesh Mendis and Prabath Jayasuriya, supported by a three-man pace group depending on how they assess the Galle surface.Sri Lanka predicted XI: Nishan Madushka, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.India will be without Washington Sundar for the first Test, with Auqib Nabi replacing Jasprit Bumrah and Sarfaraz Khan coming in for the injured Sai Sudharsan.Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar could feature as the spinners, with Saransh Jain as another option.Devdutt Padikkal’s century in the warm-up strengthens his case at No. 3, and Gurnoor Brar could get the nod as