Pandya makes debut as India opt to bat in Galle Test

Galle [Sri Lanka], July 26 (ANI): India have won the toss and opted to bat first in the opening Test of the three-match series against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday. After winning the toss, Indian skipper Virat Kohli said that it is a pretty hard surface and that his side are looking forward to put up decent score on the scoreboard. Sri Lanka skipper Rangana Herath, on the other hand, also admitted, "I would have batted well, but it's a pretty good track, but what we can do is keep them to a decent score." As far as Playing XI is concerned, all-rounder Hardik Pandya will make his Test debut. Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been ruled out of the opening match with viral fever. Shikhar Dhawan replaces him. For Sri Lanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, who was top-scorer in the ODIs against Zimbabwe, is all set to make his Test debut. India Playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Abhinav Mukund, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (C), Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami. Sri Lanka Playing XI: Dimuth Karunaratne, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath (C), Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep.(ANI)