Gill denies Siraj injury after India Sri Lanka Test series win

India won the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka 1-0, with the second Test at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, ending in a draw on August 27, 2026. During the match, Mohammed Siraj seemingly bowled at a slower pace and used a shorter run-up, prompting questions about his physical condition. He also landed heavily while attempting to field a catch during Sri Lanka’s first innings, which intensified speculation about a possible injury heading into the series conclusion.

India Captain Shubman Gill addressed the fitness concerns in his post-match comments, clarifying the circumstances surrounding Siraj’s recent performance. Siraj had last played international cricket against Afghanistan in June, meaning he had been absent from competitive action for nearly two months before the series began.

“Firstly, Siraj is not injured. He didn’t feel well even in the first match (at Galle). He last played against Afghanistan in June…so he was playing after almost a couple of months. It takes time for someone to come back to the rhythm,” Gill was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

“Even in the first Test, we felt that his pace was slow. But sometimes when you play more, you come back to the rhythm. But as far as the injury is concerned, there is nothing,” he added.

Gill’s assessment placed Siraj’s recent form in the context of match rhythm rather than physical injury. The first Test at Galle International Stadium began on August 15, 2026. Gill indicated that the bowler’s pace in the opening match was noticeably slower, but he viewed this as a natural consequence of the extended layoff rather than an injury concern.

Pitch conditions and India’s attacking approach

On the Colombo pitch, Gill acknowledged the challenges India faced in converting their advantage into a series-clinching victory. Sri Lanka batted through the final day with Sonal Dinusha scoring an unbeaten 133, allowing the hosts to secure a draw. India had reduced Sri Lanka to 229 for 6 by the end of the fourth day but could not force the remaining wickets on the final day.

“It gets very frustrating. We attacked a lot in the beginning. But I think as the match went on, the wicket got slower. It was not like the ball was not moving and when the ball was spinning, the wickets were not in play. It was not like the wicket was very flat,” Gill added.

Prasidh Krishna’s standout bowling performance

Despite the frustration of not securing a second Test victory, Gill highlighted the standout performance of fast bowler Prasidh Krishna throughout the series. Krishna had been instrumental in India’s bowling attack during the campaign. Gill emphasised the value of having a reliable bowler who could create opportunities when conditions were not favourable.

“I think he’s been in the pick of our bowlers. When things are not happening, he’s been our go-to bowler, especially this season. He’s created chances, which is what I want as a captain. We want a go-to bowler when wickets are not guaranteed. I think he did that brilliantly,” Gill concluded.

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