New Delhi, Aug. 15 -- India's Test team marked the country's 80th Independence Day in Galle on Saturday, with members of the squad taking part in a flag-hoisting ceremony ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka.

The ceremony came on a historic day for Team India, who are playing their 600th Test.

India won the toss and opted to bat first in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Saturday. Devdutt Padikkal, who last played a Test in March 2024, has been named in the playing XI.

Padikkal will replace the injured Sai Sudharsan as India's No.3 batter for the Test series against Sri Lanka, and comes on the back of an excellent outing in India's practice match against Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Colombo.

He registered an unbeaten 142 in...