The match comes just ahead of the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, with the first Test set to begin in Galle on August 15.

Rain could affect preparations

India’s preparations may, however, face a setback as intermittent rain is forecast in Colombo from Friday. Wet weather could reduce playing time during the three-day warm-up match, limiting the team’s chances to get valuable practice before the Test series.

Spin remains India’s biggest challenge

India struggled against quality spin during their recent home Test series against New Zealand and South Africa. The team will now look to improve against Sri Lanka’s strong spin attack, especially in familiar home conditions for the hosts.

The warm-up game is expected to play a key role in helping the Indian batters adjust to Sri Lankan pitches before the Test series begins.

Batters already preparing

Captain Shubman Gill, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal had already started practising against spin before leaving for Colombo. However, batting on Sri Lankan pitches in match conditions will give them a much better understanding of the challenge ahead.

For several members of the squad, this will also be their first experience of playing red-ball cricket in Sri Lanka.

Few players have Sri Lanka Test experience

India last played a Test series in Sri Lanka in 2017, and the squad has changed significantly since then.

Only KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja in the current squad have previously played Test cricket in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka XI squad for the warm-up match is yet to be announced.

Young bowling attack gets valuable practice

With Jasprit Bumrah ruled out because of injury, Mohammed Siraj will lead India’s pace attack. He will be supported by Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain.

Apart from Siraj and Kuldeep, the bowling attack is relatively inexperienced. The warm-up match will give the bowlers valuable time to understand local conditions before the Test series.

Brar and Jain are also coming into the match with confidence after impressive performances for India A against Sri Lanka A in Galle last month.

Squads:

India Squad: Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kuldeep Yadav, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar

Sri Lanka XI Squad: Nishan Madushka(w), Nipun Dhananjaya, Ravindu Rasantha, Pavan Rathnayake, Ahan Wickramasinghe, Sonal Dinusha(c), Ramesh Mendis, Dilum Sudeera, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Isitha Wijesundera, Asanka Manoj, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha