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Focus shifts from T20 to Test cricket as India is set to face Sri Lanka for a Test series in Galle and Colombo this month. For the two-match series, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) includes two new faces in the team, who were welcomed by the head coach, Gautam Gambhir, in Sri Lanka on the day of India's cricket team's first training session in Sri Lanka ahead of the Test series.
Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi are the two new players who are with the India National Cricket Team in Sri Lanka. Nabi joins the team as a last-minute replacement, in place of injured Jasprit Bumrah, who was ruled out of the series due to a knee injury.
Gautam Gambhir welcomes Auqib Nabi and Saransh Jain to the team
With the available resources, Gautam Gambhir kicked off the camp in the Island Nation through a motivating speech on the ground. BCCI shared a special video on Thursday (August 6) morning capturing the first few moments of Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi on the green canvas for the national cricket team.
Congratulating both of the cricketers for their achievements in domestic cricket, Gautam Gambhir asked the team to give their best in the upcoming matches against Sri Lanka. He asked the Men in Blue to bring their best whether they win or lose the toss.
"Guys, welcome everyone. We've got a couple of new guys in. To start with, Saransh, congratulations, you've worked extremely hard to be here. And secondly, I want to congratulate Auqib; you had a phenomenal last season, made Jammu and Kashmir win the Ranji Trophy, which is a great achievement. Congratulations once again," Gautam Gambhir said to Saransh Jain and Auqib Nabi.
Gautam Gambhir set the tone early for the clash with Sri Lanka
In a commanding voice, Gambhir told his team that they have all the potential to push their limits to tick all of the boxes. The series against Sri Lanka can be challenging, but Team India has all the tools in their bag to surpass any type of challenge.
"We know what's in front of us. We know what we are playing for. We can do the volume, we can push our limits, we can tick all the boxes. Come 15th morning, whether we are batting first, whether we are bowling first, we're absolutely ready with every answer, every question that's thrown at us, and every answer we're ready to give. So make sure we tick all the boxes from now on," he added.
The focus shifts to Test Cricket 🏏
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 6, 2026
Welcoming new additions to the squad as #TeamIndia begin the preparations in Colombo 🏟️
WATCH 🎥🔽 #SLvIND https://t.co/Q2IvHhneDA
Team India with a new fielding coach
Subhadeep Ghosh, who replaced T Dilip as the fielding coach of the Indian men's cricket team ahead of the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka, is another new member in the present set-up of the Indian cricket team. The series against Sri Lanka will be his first international assignment with the head coach, Gautam Gambhir.
The head coach mentioned strongly that Subhadeep's experience, work ethic, and energy will help the team to improve its performance.
"I want to welcome Joy as well. He's worked with so many teams for so many years. I'm sure his passion and commitment will carry this team forward and make sure that his energy levels will help everyone achieve the target, which we want to do," Gambhir stated.
