Farveez Maharoof Highlights Sri Lanka's Need for Consistency Ahead of India Test Series

As Sri Lanka gears up for a pivotal Test series against India, former all-rounder Farveez Maharoof emphasizes the need for consistency within the team. He highlights the crucial role of veteran batsman Dinesh Chandimal, who has a strong record against India. Maharoof believes this series presents a significant opportunity for Sri Lanka to secure a victory at home, especially with the team looking to improve its standings in the World Test Championship. With a mix of experienced players and emerging talent, the Lankan Lions aim to rise to the challenge against a formidable Indian side.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 11, 2026, 23:32 IST

Sri Lanka's Challenge Against India

Galle [Sri Lanka], August 11: Former Sri Lankan all-rounder Farveez Maharoof emphasized the necessity for the Lankan Lions to enhance their consistency in Test cricket. He pointed out that veteran batsman Dinesh Chandimal will play a crucial role in the upcoming two-Test series against India at home.

Maharoof, who is part of the expert panel for India's Test tour of Sri Lanka starting August 15 on Sony Sports Network, discussed the importance of consistency for Sri Lanka, which has finished seventh, fifth, and sixth in the last three World Test Championship (WTC) cycles.

Having represented Sri Lanka in 139 matches, scoring 1,702 runs and taking 167 wickets, Maharoof believes that captain Dhananjaya de Silva has a prime opportunity to secure a victory against India at home. India has won the last two Test series in Sri Lanka, in 2015 and 2017, with their last defeat to Sri Lanka occurring in 2008.

During a media interaction facilitated by the broadcasters, Maharoof stated, “Sri Lanka needs to be more consistent. This has always been my critique of the team. The biggest letdown was their soft dismissals in the recent Antigua Test against West Indies, which they lost by an innings. The essence of Test cricket is to endure challenges on any surface.”

He expressed a desire to see greater resilience and consistency from the top order. While acknowledging the absence of Angelo Matthews, he noted that there is ample talent emerging, with Kamindu Mendis likely to bat at four and Dhananjaya leading the team. Maharoof remarked that this is a prime opportunity for Sri Lanka to defeat India, as victories against them are rare.

Chandimal, who previously scored a remarkable 162* to secure a win for Sri Lanka in Galle back in 2015, boasts an impressive record against India, amassing 750 runs in eight Tests at an average of 50.00, including two centuries and three fifties.

Maharoof believes that as a seasoned player with 92 Tests under his belt, Chandimal's experience will be vital. “He should bat at number three as he is the most experienced player and a former captain. The pressure will be on him. I recall his century against bowlers like Ravichandran Ashwin and Amit Mishra. It’s about that one day and facing that one delivery. Concentration will be key for all batters in the humid conditions. Chandimal knows what it takes to score against India and will be an essential part of the team,” he concluded.

This series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Currently, India, led by Shubman Gill, sits fifth in the WTC standings with four wins and four losses from nine matches, holding a Points Percentage (PCT) of 48.150. Sri Lanka ranks sixth, with one win, one draw, and two losses.

India's squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka includes: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, and Auqib Nabi.