Former India captain Ajinkya Rahane has urged Shubman Gill and his team to adopt an aggressive and proactive approach against Sri Lanka’s bowling attack in the upcoming two-Test series, beginning August 15. Rahane believes India’s batting strategy, particularly against spin, could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the series.

Speaking shortly after announcing his retirement from international cricket, Rahane stressed the importance of making a strong start in the first innings. He believes India’s batters cannot afford to become overly defensive, especially on pitches in Sri Lanka that are expected to assist the spinners as the game progresses.

India will face Sri Lanka in Tests in Galle and Colombo as they look to strengthen their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings. The visitors currently sit fifth after winning four of their first nine matches and need a strong run in their remaining fixtures to stay in contention for a place in the WTC final.

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Rahane, who scored 407 runs, including two centuries, in six Tests in Sri Lanka, feels India must respect the home side but avoid allowing the bowlers to dictate terms. “Being on top of the bowler as a batsman is very important. That’s what I have learned in Sri Lanka. You cannot be too defensive,” Ajinkya Rahane told PTI.

Sri Lanka has traditionally been a difficult team to beat at home, and India’s recent struggles against spin make Rahane’s advice particularly relevant. The Indian batting unit was repeatedly tested by visiting spinners during their home defeats against New Zealand and South Africa.

“You have to probably be more proactive because they will have spin-friendly wickets, and Sri Lanka do have decent spinners in their side. And again, a home team is always a tough team to beat,” Ajinkya Rahane said. He added that every batter should enter the series with a clear individual plan rather than relying solely on defensive techniques. “It’s all about having your own game plan as an individual and being proactive. Even in Test cricket, it’s going to be the key,” he added.

India has already begun preparations with a three-day warm-up game against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo. Sri Lanka reached 358/8 after being asked to bat first, giving India’s bowlers a demanding workout on a good batting surface.

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India is expected to bat on Day 2, with skipper Shubman Gill’s availability a key talking point after he missed the opening day due to a thumb niggle. KL Rahul led the side in Gill’s absence. Several Indian batters, including Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel, also gained valuable experience in Sri Lanka during India A’s recent four-day matches, giving the visitors additional preparation ahead of the Test series.