Gambhir, Indian commentators join Jayasuriya for dinner in Colombo ahead of 2nd Test

Former Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya hosted India head coach Gautam Gambhir and a group of prominent commentators for dinner at his private residence in Colombo, with the second and final Test of the two-match series just a day away.

An Instagram post shared by Sanath Jayasuriya captured the occasion. Ace Commentators Sanjay Manjrekar, Harsha Bhogle and Russel Arnold were among those present, alongside Gambhir, with a few other notable personalities.

Check Jayasuriya's post here - 

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A post shared by Azzam Ameen (@azzam_ameen_sl)

India looking to clinch the series vs Sri Lanka

The dinner came at a busy moment for both camps, with the second Test scheduled to begin on August 23, 2026, in Colombo, bringing the series to a close. India, captained by Shubman Gill for this assignment, had been in the Sri Lankan capital in the days leading up to the fixture. Interestingly, India High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha hosted the Indian squad at India House in Colombo on August 21, an event distinct from Jayasuriya's gathering.

Gambhir's connection to Sri Lanka carries a particular significance. His first assignment as India's head coach was the India tour of Sri Lanka in July 2024, which also happened to coincide with Jayasuriya's own start as interim coach of the home side at the time.

Jayasuriya's tenure as Sri Lanka head coach

Jayasuriya stepped down from the Sri Lanka head coach role after the team's five-run defeat to Pakistan in their final Super Eights match at the T20 World Cup 2026, by which point Sri Lanka had already been knocked out of semi-final contention. He had signalled during the England series earlier in 2026 that he did not plan to stay in the role long-term.

He was first appointed interim coach in July 2024 following Chris Silverwood's departure, before being confirmed as full-time head coach in October 2024. His tenure produced notable results, including Sri Lanka's first ODI bilateral series win against India in 27 years and their first Test victory in England in a decade.

The second Test in Colombo on August 23, 2026, will conclude the series, with both squads having spent the preceding days preparing in the capital.