India elect to bat, Pandya debuts

Photo: Twitter

New Delhi: Indian skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bat first against Sri Lanka in the first Test match at Galle on Wednesday.

India will be without opener Lokesh Rahul, who is down with fever and Abhinav Mukund will open the Indian innings with Shikhar Dhawan, while star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is set for his first Test appearance for India.

Sri Lanka will miss services of skipper Dinesh Chandimal and Rangana Hearth will lead the team in his absence.

Galle hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Team India, having managed a single win way back in 2008 and Virat Kohli’s men will look to end the losing streak with an aim to consolidate their position at the top.

India are scheduled to play 3 Test matches, 5 ODI’s and 1 T20 in the island nation.