Cricket / Team India Hoists Tricolour in Galle on 80th Independence Day ahead of Historic 600th Test
Key Points
India celebrated its 80th Independence Day in Galle, marking its historic 600th Test. Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir led the Tricolour hoisting before the landmark clash against Sri Lanka.
Galle, Aug 15: Team India celebrated the nation’s 80th Independence Day with a flag-hoisting ceremony at their hotel in Galle on Saturday, ahead of the opening Test of the two-match series against Sri Lanka.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill led the ceremony, joined by players and support staff, before the gathering sang the national anthem.
The occasion carried added significance as India became the first Asian side, and only the third team after England and Australia, to play 600 Test matches.
Also read: PM Modi hoists National Flag at Red Fort on 80th Independence Day
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video of the event on social media, captioned: “On the occasion of Independence Day, #TeamIndia gathered at Galle to hoist the Tricolour ahead of the First #SLvIND Test.”
📱 Get Argus News App
✨After electing to bat first, Gill expressed pride in leading India on such a landmark day. “Very big honour for me, every time you get an opportunity to lead your country, and even more so special on this occasion. Independence Day for us and 600th Test match, so looking forward,” he said.
Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav echoed the sentiment, highlighting the magnitude of the milestone. “Firstly, it's a massive honour to be part of India's 600th Test match on Independence Day. To be part of the 600, it's a big feeling and very happy about that,” he remarked.
India currently sits fifth in the World Test Championship 2025–27 standings, with four wins from nine matches. The team is aiming to secure crucial points against Sri Lanka to strengthen its bid for a place in the final at The Oval in June 2027.
(IANS)
Related Topics
Explore more stories