Shubman Gill is working on his technique against left-arm spin ahead of India’s second Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo after two dismissals by Prabath Jayasuriya in Galle.
Shubman Gill has made a clear adjustment to his preparation ahead of India's second Test against Sri Lanka.
The Indian captain spent considerable time working against left-arm spin during India's training session in Colombo on August 21. The focused practice comes after Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya dismissed Gill twice in the opening Test at Galle.
Gill scored 16 runs in the first innings and eight in the second. India nevertheless produced an impressive team performance, defeating Sri Lanka by 165 runs and taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
The second Test begins on August 23 at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, giving Gill an immediate opportunity to respond.
Gill is one of India's most accomplished young batters, but his record against orthodox left-arm spin has attracted attention.
The problem was especially visible in Galle, where Jayasuriya dismissed him in both innings.
Reports indicate that Gill has been dismissed by left-arm spinners 11 times across 42 Test matches. One technical concern is his ability to cover the line of the ball consistently against this type of bowling.
That does not mean Gill is generally poor against spin.
Instead, it highlights a specific matchup that opponents can target.
For a right-handed batter, left-arm orthodox spin creates an angle that can make the ball difficult to judge. Changes in flight, pace and turn can also force the batter to make quick decisions about whether to defend or attack.
Gill's latest training session suggests he is determined to make those decisions more effectively.
Gill's preparation has included facing India's own left-arm spinners.
Among those bowling to him were Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja, along with local net bowlers.
Suthar is particularly interesting because he was one of India's biggest performers in Galle.
The young spinner claimed 10 wickets in the first Test, including six wickets in Sri Lanka's second innings. His performance played a major role in India's 165-run victory.
For Gill, facing Suthar provides a realistic test of his technique against left-arm spin in Sri Lankan conditions.
Jadeja adds another level of experience and control.
Together, the two spinners can help Gill work on different aspects of his batting, from defence and footwork to attacking shots.
The key point about Gill's preparation is that he does not need to completely change his natural batting style.
He has built his reputation through excellent timing, strong technique and positive strokeplay.
Instead, the focus is on adaptation.
India's spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule explained that Gill has been assessing the pitch conditions, the pace of the surface and the shots available to him. The coach also indicated that Gill remains focused on playing his natural game while adapting to the conditions.
That approach makes sense.
The best Test batters do not abandon their strengths after one difficult performance. They identify the problem, make targeted adjustments and return with greater awareness.
One of the most important elements of batting against spin is footwork.
A batter who moves decisively can disrupt a spinner's preferred length.
Gill has reportedly worked on both his defensive technique and attacking options during the Colombo session.
That could be important against Jayasuriya.
If Gill remains too deep in the crease, the spinner can dictate the length. If he constantly charges down the pitch, he risks creating opportunities for the bowler.
The challenge is finding the right balance.
Gill needs to make Sri Lanka's spinners uncertain about his intentions while avoiding unnecessary risks.
The most intriguing individual contest in Colombo could once again be Shubman Gill versus Prabath Jayasuriya.
Jayasuriya won both encounters in Galle.
Gill now has a chance to change the story.
Sri Lanka will know that the Indian captain has been working specifically against left-arm spin. That could lead to tactical adjustments from the hosts.
Jayasuriya might change his angle, alter his pace or use different field settings.
Gill will need to respond to those changes rather than simply repeating a predetermined plan.
That is where Test cricket becomes a battle of patience and adaptability.
India arrive in Colombo with confidence.
The 165-run win in Galle gave Gill's team a 1-0 series lead and put Sri Lanka under pressure.
The advantage means Gill does not have to chase runs simply to repair his personal statistics.
He can focus on building an innings according to the conditions.
A patient start could be particularly valuable.
If Gill survives the early spell from Sri Lanka's spinners, India's batting depth gives them the opportunity to build a large total.
For the captain, a significant contribution would also strengthen India's position in the match.
The pressure is now on Sri Lanka.
They need to respond after losing the first Test and face additional selection difficulties before the Colombo match.
Key batters Kusal Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal are unavailable, while Sri Lanka have made squad changes for the second Test.
That increases the importance of their bowling attack.
Sri Lanka's spinners are likely to remain central to their plans, particularly against India's strong batting lineup.
Gill will be one of the major targets.
If he can neutralise their spin attack, India could gain another major advantage.
There are several aspects of Gill's batting that could reveal whether his extra preparation has worked.
A calm start could prevent Sri Lanka from building early pressure.
Will Gill move forward confidently when the ball is in his scoring zone?
Can he cover the line more effectively than he did in Galle?
Changing position can prevent a spinner from settling into one length.
Gill will need to distinguish between balls that should be attacked and those that should simply be defended.
This will be the headline battle.
If Gill wins it, India's captain could set the tone for the entire innings.
It is easy to focus on statistics after a Test match.
But Gill's response to his Galle dismissals may be more significant than the numbers themselves.
A player cannot eliminate every weakness.
What separates elite Test batters is the ability to recognise weaknesses and work on them.
Gill has done that before the second Test.
He has spent time against left-arm spinners.
He has examined his defensive options.
He has worked on his footwork.
Now the challenge is to transfer that preparation into competitive cricket.
There is an interesting contrast within India's camp.
While Gill is preparing to face Sri Lanka's left-arm spin, India's own left-arm spinner Manav Suthar has just demonstrated how dangerous that bowling style can be.
His 10-wicket performance in Galle was a major factor in India's victory.
That means India have first-hand evidence of what quality left-arm spin can do on Sri Lankan pitches.
Gill can use that knowledge to prepare.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will hope Jayasuriya can reproduce the success he enjoyed against the Indian captain in the first Test.
That is the central question.
Practice can improve technique and confidence, but Test cricket introduces pressure that cannot be completely recreated in the nets.
Gill will have to make decisions with a field around him and a match situation developing.
He cannot afford to overreact to his previous dismissals.
At the same time, he cannot ignore what happened.
The ideal approach is controlled aggression.
Defend the good deliveries.
Rotate the strike.
Attack the loose balls.
Use the crease intelligently.
If Gill can execute those basics, he has every chance of producing a significant innings.
The second Test comes at an ideal time for India's captain.
He knows what caused his problems in Galle.
He has had an opportunity to work on them.
He knows the Sri Lankan conditions.
He knows Jayasuriya.
The next step is execution.
That is why his first few overs against spin could be among the most closely watched moments of the Colombo Test.
A strong start could immediately change the narrative.
Another early dismissal would keep the questions alive.
The second Test starts on August 23, 2026, at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. India lead the series 1-0 after their 165-run victory in Galle.
Sri Lanka must respond if they want to level the series.
India will be looking to maintain their momentum and finish the series with another victory.
For Gill, the match provides an additional personal challenge.
Can he overcome the left-arm-spin problem that surfaced in Galle?
Can he find a way past Jayasuriya?
Can he lead from the front with the bat?
Those questions will add considerable interest to the second Test.
Shubman Gill's focused work against left-arm spin is a positive sign ahead of India's Colombo Test.
After being dismissed twice by Prabath Jayasuriya in Galle, India's captain has taken a direct approach to solving the problem. Working against Manav Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja and local left-arm spinners gives him valuable preparation before the second Test.
India already have the series advantage.
Now Gill has an opportunity to turn a disappointing personal performance into a strong response.
If he can counter Sri Lanka's spinners and build a substantial innings in Colombo, the story will shift from a potential weakness to one of adaptability and improvement.
Galle exposed the challenge. Colombo will provide Gill with the opportunity to answer it.