Padikkal's century at No. 3 signals India may have solved a 24-year structural headache

Shubman Gill captains India in their 600th Test when the first match starts in Galle on Saturday. It's their first trip back to Sri Lanka for Test cricket in nine years, and the timing matters — they're still chasing a spot in the World Test Championship final.

Gill says India need six or seven wins from the nine Tests left. They'll go in with a spin-heavy attack, Manav Suthar in line for his debut alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. Dhruv Jurel is set to bat six ahead of Sarfaraz Khan, Devdutt Padikkal slots in at three, and Rishabh Pant keeps wicket.

Jasprit Bumrah and Sai Sudharsan are both out injured. Gill has been cleared despite a finger niggle from practice. Sri Lanka bring in Lahiru Udara for Pathum Nissanka and could hand first Tests to Niroshan Dickwella and Keshara Nuwantha.