# India face spin trial in Colombo net session ahead of Sri Lanka Test

2026-08-10T05:53:45+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Sarfaraz Khan joined the India Test squad in Colombo as a replacement for Sai Sudharsan ahead of the first Sri Lankan Test. In a three-hour net session at the NCC Ground, the team faced a dry, cracked pitch designed to mimic a Day 4 surface. The spin quartet of Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain did most of the bowling, while only Auqib Nabi provided fast bowling. Pacers Mohammed Siraj, Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna were rested. Captain Shubman Gill and No. 3 Devdutt Padikkal looked in control, with plenty of sweeps and reverse-sweeps on display. India move to Galle on August 11 for the series opener.

## Coverage

- indiatvnews.com <https://www.indiatvnews.com/sports/cricket/india-s-spin-bowling-coach-weighs-in-on-devdutt-padikkal-s-chance-ahead-first-sri-lanka-test-2026-08-10-1050883>
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-sri-lanka/trial-by-spin-with-a-hint-of-reverse-inside-indias-final-net-session-in-colombo/articleshow/133105855.cms>

Tags: Devdutt Padikkal, India vs Sri Lanka, KL Rahul, spin bowling coach, Test cricket
Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/padikkal-in-line-for-test-debut-india-spin-coach-hints/
License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources.
Cite: https://indianopinion.org/padikkal-in-line-for-test-debut-india-spin-coach-hints/#story-in-brief

Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.