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Sri Lanka falls to India in Galle Test as Kirsten calls for improvement

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 19, 2026, 7:08 PM

Last updated Aug 19, 2026

Sri Lanka falls to India in Galle Test as Kirsten calls for improvement

Summary

Sri Lanka lost the first Test to India by 165 runs in Galle, marking another setback for head coach Gary Kirsten. Sri Lanka, dismissed for 206 while chasing a target of 372, continues to seek its first Test victory under Kirsten's leadership, now 0-3 since he took charge this summer. Kirsten highlighted the challenges of limited Test cricket affecting player adaptation and emphasized the need for a stronger bowling attack capable of taking 20 wickets. The team is set to play six more Tests in the coming months, which Kirsten hopes will provide opportunities for growth and performance improvement.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Sri Lanka lost by 165 runs in the Galle Test against India.
•Kirsten acknowledged the challenge of limited Test cricket for player adaptation.
•Sri Lanka needs a bowling attack that can regularly dismiss opponents.
•The team has lost two of three Tests under Kirsten's management.
•Sri Lanka will play six more Tests over the next six months.

Latest Updates

7:08 PMYahoo Sports — 'Tough when you don't play much Test cricket': Sri Lanka head coach Gary Kirsten after India loss

What they're saying

"
Sri Lanka coach Gary Kirsten says his team must turn recent progress into results after losing the Galle Test to India by 165 runs. He points to limited Test cricket as a challenge but says six more Tests in the next six months will help. Kirsten also stresses the need for a bowling attack capable of taking 20 wickets consistently.
— Yahoo Sports

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