Sri Lanka vs. India, 3rd Test: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info, Preview

The three-match Test series between hosts Sri Lanka and India is all square as the teams head into the third and final match beginning in Colombo on Friday.

Venue: Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo

Date: Friday, August 28 - Tuesday, September 1

Start time: 10 a.m. local time, 5:30 a.m. BST

Live on: Sky Sports (UK), SKY Sport (New Zealand), SuperSport (South Africa), DD National/DD Sports (India), Fox Sports (Australia), DIRECTV & Willow TV (United States of America), OSN Network (United Arab Emirates), PTV Sports (Pakistan), Ten Sports (Caribbean).

Weather: According to AccuWeather.com, Colombo will be dominated by thunderstorms throughout this game, with temperatures hitting 30 degrees Celsius.

Overview

It's been quite a topsy-turvy affair for Sri Lanka against India. They clawed their way back from a sticky position to win the first Test, but India knuckled down and levelled the series in the second Test.

The third and final Test will have everything to play for, but it will also be the first for Sri Lanka without Kumar Sangakkara. But there is little time to dwell and let the emotions settle for the hosts, there's a series up for grabs.

Fortunately for Sri Lanka, Sangakkara has not managed to contribute much with the bat in this series, so as far as gut-punch retirements go, this one is not so bad. His experience on the field, however, cannot be replaced, and Sri Lanka seriously need it.

Of particular concern is the absence of runs across the board. Just two batsmen—Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews—have managed centuries in this series. There have been a few half-tons but consistency with the bat has been severely lacking.

The bowling has been marginally better, but overall, India have been the better team. They have, however, been dealt a blow with both Wriddhiman Saha and Murali Vijay ruled out of the final Test through injury. Vijay has managed just a half-century and 82 runs in total on this tour while Saha has contributed two half-tons and 131 runs in total. ESPNCricinfo reports that wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha will replace Saha in the squad, while Karun Nair will be in the side in the place of Vijay.

It makes for an interesting equation ahead of the final Test. With both teams losing players and both teams having struggled in parts, the third and final match is all set up to be one to remember.

Key players

Sri Lanka

Angelo Mathews has been a gem all-round for his team, and they will look to him to lead from the front in the third and final Test. He can't carry the team forever, of course, but he will have to dig deep and find a way to inspire his charges.

India

Virat Kohli has been India's most consistent batsman this series with a century and a half-century to show for his efforts. He's still settling into the captaincy role, but he clearly does well when his back is against the wall.

Squads

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Kaushal Silva, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Jehan Mubarak, Kusal Perera, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Tharindu Kaushal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dhammika Prasad, Vishwa Fernando

India: Virat Kohli (capt), Varun Aaron, Ravichandran Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Rohit Sharma, Murali Vijay, Umesh Yadav, Lokesh Rahul

All information obtained firsthand, unless otherwise stated.