Shubman Gill eyes WTC final berth as India head into Sri Lanka Tests

India’s Test captain Shubman Gill has set his sights on playing the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2027. Gill will be leading India in a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka, beginning on August 15. It will be India’s first assignment since their 0-2 whitewash at home against South Africa in November, 2025.

India are currently placed fifth in the WTC points table for the 2025-27 cycle with four wins from nine matches, having won 48.15% points. They have three series remaining against Sri Lanka (away), New Zealand (away) and Australia (home) in the ongoing cycle, with nine Tests remaining in total.

Heading into the Test season, the India captain praised his team for progressing well in the past year ever since he took up captaincy and revealed his target of playing the WTC final.

“I think the kind of way we have been progressing in the past year has been very pleasing to see from my perspective, and I think we are taking all the right steps in the right direction. Obviously, the main goal is to play the World Test Championship final, which is next year, and we have about nine Tests, and I think we have to win around six or seven to be able to have a good chance at qualifying. So, in terms of that, I think this is a very important series for us, and we have had the right kind of preparation leading up to the series,” Gill said in the pre-match press conference ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

🗣️ The main goal is to play the World Test Championship Final#TeamIndia captain Shubman Gill talks about the progress of the team and the importance of the Sri Lanka Test series.#SLvIND | @ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/qfSTwseB4d

— BCCI (@BCCI) August 14, 2026

Gill also mentioned how the absence of star bowler Jasprit Bumrah is a great opportunity for the other fast bowlers to leave a mark in the series. Bumrah has been ruled out of the series after suffering a knee injury during the ODI series in England.

Gill on Bumrah's absence

"Bumrah is not there, but I think it is a really good opportunity for some of the other bowlers to really step up and leave a mark on the series. You have to keep trying different things to be able to take wickets. You have to create opportunities, especially on day 1 and day 2. There could be a chance that there is not much happening from the wickets. So how can you create pressure? How can you not let the game slip away too much from you? Having those kinds of creative fields is important,” said Gill.

In Bumrah’s absence, the responsibility with the new ball will fall on Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna’s shoulders, while Jammu & Kashmir pace sensation Aquib Nabi could also earn his debut.