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The groundstaff made several adjustments to the surface just hours after India's head coach Gautam Gambhir inspected it on Wednesday (August 12). Sri Lanka held a closed-door practice session at the venue on Wednesday, with the media and public kept away from the playing area. However, the iconic Galle Fort provided a vantage point to keep an eye on the proceedings. During Sri Lanka's practice session, Gambhir and India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak made a brief visit to the ground to assess the pitch. The cover was lifted for the two to inspect the surface and was quickly restored after they left. The Indian coaching duo's visit underlined the importance of the pitch in determining India's combination for the opening Test. Interestingly, less than two hours after Gambhir and Kotak departed, the main cover was removed and the groundstaff brought out a lawn mower. The mower was taken across the 22-yard strip several times before a soft roller was brought in. The pitch was then left exposed to the sun for some time before the covers were put back on.

Pitch Could Decide India's Playing XI

With three days still to go before the test, India's team combination remains closely linked to how the Galle surface looks like. The big question is whether India will opt for three spinners or three seamers, with both combinations seemingly still under consideration. The Indian management has repeatedly stressed the importance of assessing how a pitch is likely to behave on the opening day before finalising the bowling attack. If the Galle surface does not offer obvious signs of turn from the outset, India could consider fielding three pacers in Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Gurnoor Brar. However, the spin bowling options are equally strong. With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, India will need to find a bowling combination capable of taking 20 wickets. Kuldeep Yadav's ability to strike through the middle and later stages of an innings could make him a key component of the attack, while Saransh Jain could also remain in contention depending on the conditions. The absence of all-rounders Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar due to injuries means India has limited room for error when selecting their specialist bowlers. The playing XI puzzle, therefore, could ultimately come down to one crucial decision - a third spinner or an extra seamer.

Weather Another Concern for India

The pitch isn't the only factor keeping the Indian camp busy. Weather conditions could also play a role during the Test. There have been spells of heavy rain around Galle since the Indian team arrived at their sea-facing resort. Wednesday brought comparatively brighter and sunnier conditions, but rain remains part of the forecast for the coming days. Any interruptions could potentially influence the nature of the surface and add another variable to India's selection calculations.

India Ready for Final Phase of Preparation

India did not train on August 11 and 12 after completing an exhaustive preparation programme in Colombo. The visitors had spent nearly a week at the NCC Ground, where they went through multiple high-intensity practice sessions, a three-day warm-up match and a final match-simulation exercise on a deteriorated surface. The final simulation was particularly significant. India returned to the same centre wicket used for the warm-up game, allowing the batters to experience a surface that had begun to break up and develop rough patches. The spinners targeted those areas while the batters attempted to replicate the challenges they could face on the fourth day of a Test. It brought an intense week of preparation in Colombo to a close. Now, the focus shifts completely to Galle. India are scheduled to begin their practice at the venue on August 13 at 10 AM local time, with another session planned for August 14. The final session is expected to be optional as the team prepares for the opening Test. After an unusually extensive build-up, India are now entering the final stage of their preparations. The pitch will be watched closely. The weather will be monitored. And ultimately, the conditions at Galle could have a major say in the first playing XI of the Shubman Gill era.