'Come 15th morning, whether you're...': Coach Gambhir's 1st message to Team India on Sri Lanka tour

Team India has begun their preparations on Sri Lanka soil ahead of the two-Test series. On the eve of the three-day practice game in Colombo, head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the squad that features two new faces – Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi – along with new fielding coach Subhadeep Ghosh. Gambhir acknowledged the hard work Jain and Nabi have put in domestic cricket to get a spot in the Test squad. He wants the players to tick all the boxes and be prepared for the Test series opener in Galle on August 15 whether they bat or field first.

“We know what’s in front of us, we know what we are playing for. We can do the volume, we can push our limits, we can tick all the boxes.” Gambhir said in a video posted by the BCCI on August 6.

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“Come 15th morning (August 15), whether we are batting first, whether we are bowling first, we're absolutely ready with every answer, every question that’s thrown at us, and every answer we are ready to give. So make sure we tick all the boxes from now on.”

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Where are India in WTC points table?

The Shubman Gill-led India will resume their World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 campaign next week after facing a series whitewash against South Africa at home last year. India are placed fifth in the standings with four wins, four losses and a draw from nine games. They need to continue their good record in Sri Lanka to move up the points table and strengthen their chances of making it to the WTC final for the third time. 

Domestic performers’ test in practice game

However, India are not going into the series with full strength. Pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Washington Sundar have been ruled out due to their respective injuries. There is a question mark over Sai Sudharsan’s participation as well as he is yet to join the squad. 

Nabi and Jain will be tested in the three-day practice game against Sri Lanka XI. They recently played in the unofficial Test series for India A against Sri Lanka A as well. Also, the focus will be on Devdutt Padikkal who can come in Sudharsan’s place if the latter does not regain full fitness.