Former India batter Hanuma Vihari has praised the BCCI for announcing India’s Test squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour well in advance, calling it a positive step for preparation ahead of a crucial red-ball assignment. The move comes after captain Shubman Gill had reportedly suggested that the board should organise 15-day camps before every Test series following India’s home defeats against New Zealand and South Africa.
India are scheduled to begin a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka on August 15, and the squad was announced on July 28, giving the team ample time to prepare. Vihari highlighted the unusual timing of the announcement, noting that squads are often named much closer to a series, especially when a Test tour follows immediately after an IPL, ODI or T20I assignment.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Vihari said the early squad reveal appears to reflect Gill’s request for better preparation time. He also pointed out that India will play a four-day practice match in Colombo from August 7, something that is not always part of the build-up to a Test series.
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“The BCCI announced the Test squad very early. We usually do not see this because a Test series often comes right after the IPL or an ODI or T20I series. But after the home losses to New Zealand and South Africa, Shubman Gill spoke about needing enough preparation time before a Test series. I think the BCCI has taken that input seriously and announced the squad early. India will also play a practice match before the series, which is not something we see very often,” Hanuma Vihari said.
The Sri Lanka tour is also important in the context of the World Test Championship (WTC) race. India currently sit fifth on the WTC table with four wins and four defeats from nine matches, and a points percentage of 48.15. Vihari said that a strong showing in Sri Lanka could significantly improve India’s chances of reaching the WTC final.
According to him, the outcome of the Sri Lanka series, along with upcoming contests against New Zealand and Australia, will likely decide India’s fate in the race for the final. Winning both Tests in a two-match series, he explained, would help India make major gains in the standings.
While India are expected to go in as favourites on paper, Hanuma Vihari warned against underestimating Sri Lanka at home. He said the conditions in Sri Lanka, especially the slow, turning pitches, can be extremely challenging for visiting batters. In his view, India’s players must spend more time practising sweep shots and other scoring options against spin to adapt better.
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“Sri Lanka are a dangerous side at home because the pitches are slow and help spin. Indian batters do not use the sweep shot enough, so they will need to practice that. In international cricket, proper preparation is what helps you perform in the middle,” he added.
The first Test will be played in Galle from August 15 to 19, while the second Test is scheduled for August 23 to 27 in Colombo. It will be India’s first Test tour of Sri Lanka since 2017.
