# Gambhir inspects Galle pitch before India-Sri Lanka Test

2026-08-12T17:18:07+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

India head coach Gautam Gambhir inspected the pitch at Galle International Stadium on Wednesday, hours before groundstaff mowed and rolled the surface. The move has fuelled debate over whether India will field three spinners or three seamers in the first Test against Sri Lanka starting Saturday. India are missing Jasprit Bumrah, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar due to injuries. The management will decide the playing XI based on how the pitch behaves on day one. Rain is forecast for the coming days, adding another variable. India did not train on Monday and Tuesday after an intense preparation camp in Colombo.

## Coverage

- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/hours-after-gautam-gambhirs-pitch-inspection-groundsmen-get-to-work-in-galle-ahead-of-india-sri-lanka-1st-test-article-155600861>
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-sri-lanka/hours-after-gautam-gambhirs-visit-to-galle-lawn-mower-hits-the-pitch/articleshow/133182162.cms>
- sports.ndtv.com <https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/injury-hit-india-set-for-trial-by-spin-in-sri-lanka-test-series-opener-11903618#publisher=newsstand>

Tags: cricket selection, Galle Test, Gautam Gambhir, India vs Sri Lanka, pitch inspection, Shubman Gill
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