Rain Threatens India vs Sri Lanka Warm-Up Match in Colombo

India began its three-day warm-up match against the Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo on Friday as part of its preparation for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. The practice match gives Indian batters and bowlers a chance to get used to the local pitch and weather conditions before the two-match Test series begins on August 15 in Galle.

After the toss, India was asked to bowl first. The warm-up game is an important opportunity for the team to fine-tune its performance and assess the form of its players before the official Test matches.

Although India played a Test against Afghanistan in June, that match was not part of the 2025–27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. The upcoming series against Sri Lanka will be India’s first Test series in the 2026 WTC campaign. At present, India is placed fifth in the WTC standings, while Sri Lanka is in sixth position.

However, the weather in Colombo may affect India’s preparations. Forecasts predict cloudy skies throughout the day, with a high chance of rain during the warm-up match. According to weather reports, around 4.5 hours of rainfall is expected, along with 97% cloud cover. Heavy showers are also likely to continue from Friday morning until Sunday afternoon.

The high humidity in Colombo could make conditions difficult for both players and match officials. Wet outfields and frequent rain interruptions may reduce the amount of play, making it harder for the teams to complete their practice sessions.

Despite the weather concerns, India will hope to make the most of the warm-up game before the Test series begins. The team will look to adjust quickly to Sri Lankan conditions and build confidence ahead of the important World Test Championship matches.