IND vs SL: 2nd Test Preview – Bengaluru awaits a day-night tussle
The three-match Test series between India and Sri Lanka started with India winning the first Test by a huge margin of an innings and 222 runs in Mohali. The star performer of the match was Indian all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, who picked up nine wickets in the game besides his 175* in India’s first innings.
The two teams will now head to Bengaluru for the second Test. Sri Lanka was dismal in the first game, having capitulated under 200 twice in the game after being asked to follow on by the opposition. The visitors would however be hoping for a better show with the bat as the conditions in India are similar to what they get back home thus making their job easier.
India, however, would want to continue on their winning ways and would like the openers to chip in with bigger scores for the team in the day-night Test in Bengaluru.
Match Info
India vs Sri Lanka, Second Test
Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Date: March 12th– March 16th
Head-to-Head
Matches – 45, India wins – 21, Draw – 17, Sri Lanka wins – 7
Playing Combinations
India
For India, there should not be too many concerns heading into the second Test. The team is well-balanced with both the batters and bowlers contributing. While Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal will continue to open the innings, Hanuma Vihari should keep his number three spot on the back of a half-century in the previous game. Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant will form India’s middle order with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin being the two all-rounders. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami will lead the pace attack with Axar Patel who is coming back from an injury like to partner Ashwin and Jadeja as India’s third spinner.
Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Sri Lanka
The visitors will have Dimuth Karunaratne and Lahiru Thirimanne opening the batting for them. In form batter Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out due to an injury. Angelo Mathews, Dhananjay de Silva and Niroshan Dickwella complete their middle-order. Charith Asalanka will be taking the all-rounder slot, while Lahiru Kumara and Suranga Lakmal would be leading their fast bowling attack. Sri Lanka could bring in Jeffrey Vandersay in place of Vishwa Fernando to be the second spinner along with Lasith Embuldeniya.
Predicted XI: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Charith Asalanka, Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya, Jeffrey Vandersay
