India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test: IND to bat first, Hardik Pandya makes debut

Hardik Pandya was handed his Test debut as India opted to bat against Sri Lanka in the first match of their three-game series.Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat in the opening match of the India versus Sri Lanka series at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya was handed his Test debut as he became the 289th player to represent India in Test matches. Pandya has played 17 ODIs and 19 Twenty20 internationals.

On the eve of the Test, captain Kohli had said Pandya will lend the team the balance to his side by adding depth to the batting and providing support to the bowling department.

Abhinav Mukund and Shikhar Dhawan also come back into the team as India stuck to a specialist opening combination. Mukund last played in the second Test against Australia in Bangalore but flopped in both innings and was dropped. He gets the chance in place of the KL Rahul, who is recovering from high fever.

The match is special for off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as he will be playing in his 50th Test. The veteran bowler has taken 275 wickets in just 49 Tests.

Rangana Herath will be leading in Sri Lanka for the first time. It is his lucky venue, having claimed 93 wickets in 16 Tests. Sri Lanka has a 3-1 record against India at Galle.