India coach Gambhir stresses win needed in Sri Lanka Test

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has set a clear mandate for his team as they prepare for a critical two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, emphasizing that comprehensive preparation and a series victory are essential to keep their World Test Championship hopes on track. The squad is currently training in Colombo ahead of the first Test, scheduled to begin on August 15 in Galle.

In a team address captured on video and shared on Thursday, August 6, Gambhir urged his players to push their limits and leave no stone unturned. He stressed the importance of the upcoming series, with valuable World Test Championship points at stake. "We know what's in front of us. We know what we are playing for," Gambhir told the team. "We can do the volume, we can push our limits, we can tick all the boxes. Come the 15th morning, whether we are batting first or bowling first, we're absolutely ready with every answer to every question that's thrown at us."

India currently sits fifth in the World Test Championship standings for the 2025-27 cycle, with a points percentage of 48.15 following four wins and four losses. The team faces a challenging schedule later this year, including a series against New...