{"id":196361,"date":"2026-07-24T03:25:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T08:55:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=196361"},"modified":"2026-07-24T03:25:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T08:55:24","slug":"why-sri-lanka-has-become-a-must-win-stop-in-indias-wtc-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=196361","title":{"rendered":"Why Sri Lanka has become a must-win stop in India&#8217;s WTC journey"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"content-body-71261450\">India\u2019s two-Test series in Sri Lanka, to be played in Galle and Colombo between August 15 and 27, carries far greater significance than a routine overseas assignment. It could shape the team\u2019s World Test Championship (WTC) campaign.<\/p>\n<p>India enters the series needing points after suffering a 2-0 defeat to South Africa in its previous WTC assignment. With four wins, four losses and a draw, it sits fifth in the standings, while Sri Lanka is sixth after its recent innings defeat to the West Indies. Australia and South Africa currently occupy the top two spots, with New Zealand close behind, leaving little room for India to stumble.<\/p>\n<p>The WTC is decided by percentage of points won rather than total points, making every Test crucial. In a two-match series, even one defeat can significantly impact a team\u2019s position, increasing the importance of a strong start.<\/p>\n<p>There are reasons for optimism. India has not lost a Test series in Sri Lanka since 2008 and has won its last five Tests on the island. This will also be India\u2019s first Test tour of Sri Lanka since 2017 and the first time the two sides meet there in a WTC contest.<\/p>\n<p>The timing is equally important. After Sri Lanka, India will tour New Zealand for a two-Test series before hosting Australia for a five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy, arguably the toughest stretch of its WTC cycle. Dropping points in Sri Lanka would pile pressure on those marquee contests.<\/p>\n<p>For a side that has reached two of the three WTC finals but is still searching for its maiden title, this series is more than an opportunity to extend a dominant record.<\/p>\n<p class=\"publish-time\" id=\"end-of-article\">Published on Jul 24, 2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/sportstar.thehindu.com\/cricket\/why-india-wtc-hopes-depend-on-sri-lanka-test-series\/article71261450.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>India\u2019s two-Test series in Sri Lanka, to be played in Galle and Colombo between August 15 and 27, carries far greater significance than a routine overseas assignment. It could shape the team\u2019s World Test Championship (WTC) campaign. India enters the series needing points after suffering a 2-0 defeat to South Africa in its previous WTC&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":196362,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-196361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP_83VM9UE.jpg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":198120,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=198120","url_meta":{"origin":196361,"position":0},"title":"India vs Sri Lanka: Why Two Tests in Galle and Colombo Could Decide the WTC Final Race","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Fifth versus sixth, and both sides know it matters more than the table suggests. India, on 48.15 per cent after nine matches, arrives in Sri Lanka carrying the bruises of a home series lost to South Africa; the host, on 44.44, senses an opening it hasn\u2019t had since 2008 \u2014\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32_RVM_2693.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32_RVM_2693.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32_RVM_2693.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32_RVM_2693.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32_RVM_2693.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":197646,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=197646","url_meta":{"origin":196361,"position":1},"title":"When will Team India be in action next? All you need to know about the Sri Lanka Test series","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"After a 10-match stretch in T20Is, comprising series against Ireland, England and Zimbabwe, India\u2019s focus now shifts to red-ball cricket. The team will tour Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in August as part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. The opening Test begins in Galle on August 15,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TH07-INSTA-GILLGLPF933I2.4.jpg.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TH07-INSTA-GILLGLPF933I2.4.jpg.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TH07-INSTA-GILLGLPF933I2.4.jpg.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TH07-INSTA-GILLGLPF933I2.4.jpg.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TH07-INSTA-GILLGLPF933I2.4.jpg.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":196796,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=196796","url_meta":{"origin":196361,"position":2},"title":"India Test squad for Sri Lanka series expected Tuesday; BCCI to assess white-ball roadmap after Zimbabwe series","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"India\u2019s Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka is expected to be announced by Tuesday. \u201cWe will convene a virtual meeting in the next couple of days to pick the squad,\u201d BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told Sportstar on Saturday. India will play two Tests in Sri Lanka, beginning\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/04_RVM_3038.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/04_RVM_3038.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/04_RVM_3038.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/04_RVM_3038.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/04_RVM_3038.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":198054,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=198054","url_meta":{"origin":196361,"position":3},"title":"India Test squad for Sri Lanka tour reviewed: Continuity wins over reset","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Sri Lanka has often served as a proving ground for India\u2019s spin-heavy Test combinations, and this squad reads as a vote for continuity rather than reset. There are no headline-grabbing surprises, but the selection offers a clearer glimpse into how Gautam Gambhir and Shubman Gill see the side\u2019s future. In\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20251112095L.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20251112095L.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20251112095L.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20251112095L.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/20251112095L.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":198370,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=198370","url_meta":{"origin":196361,"position":4},"title":"WTC Points Table: Updated standings after West Indies vs Pakistan 1st Test","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 29, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Pakistan continued to stay at the bottom of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 points table after a 90-run loss against West Indies in the first Test at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba on Tuesday. After five matches in this cycle, Pakistan has lost four matches and won one.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP_C3ER7N4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP_C3ER7N4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP_C3ER7N4.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP_C3ER7N4.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AFP_C3ER7N4.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":196279,"url":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=196279","url_meta":{"origin":196361,"position":5},"title":"India Test squad: Kuldeep, Washington fitness and Sai Sudharsan dominate Sri Lanka selection debate","author":"Ajay Kumar Verma","date":"July 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"And back to red-ball cricket. Fresh off an abject white-ball tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland, India\u2019s focus will soon turn back to the longest format as its red-ball season begins with a two-match tour of neighbouring Sri Lanka. It may seem distant now, but Gautam Gambhir and Shubman\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Sports&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Sports","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?cat=9"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PTI11_15_2025_000200A.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PTI11_15_2025_000200A.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PTI11_15_2025_000200A.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PTI11_15_2025_000200A.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/newslink360.space\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/PTI11_15_2025_000200A.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgnRh4-P57","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/196361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=196361"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/196361\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/196362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=196361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=196361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=196361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}