The second Test between India and Sri Lanka will be played in Colombo from August 23. India is leading 1-0 after winning the first match. Shubhman Gill is seven runs away from completing 3,000 Test runs, while Saransh Jain is eyeing a debut.
IND vs SL 2nd Test: The second match of the two-Test series between India and Sri Lanka will be played at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground in Colombo from August 23. In the first Test played in Galle, India registered a spectacular win by 165 runs and took a 1-0 lead in the series. Now the Indian team will look to win the second test and win the series 2-0.
This match is not only important for India in terms of winning the series, but the personal records of many players are also at stake. Special attention will be kept on captain Shubhman Gill, experienced all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and young batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal. At the same time, the team management will also have to take an important decision regarding the selection of the third spinner.
Shubman Gill has a chance to achieve two big achievements
Indian captain Shubman Gill will be in a position to make a place in the record books as soon as he takes the field in the second Test. Gill currently has 2,993 runs in his name in Test cricket. In such a situation, he will complete his 3,000 runs in Test cricket after scoring only seven runs.
Apart from this, Gill has 47 sixes in his name in Test cricket. If he is successful in hitting three sixes in the Colombo Test, his 50 Test sixes will also be completed. Both these achievements will be personally important for the captain and the team will also be expecting big innings from his bat.
Yashasvi Jaiswal eyes big innings
Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal would also like to strengthen his form in the second test. After scoring a century in the Delhi Test against West Indies last year, only one half-century has come in his last eight Test innings.
Even in the second innings of the Galle Test, Jaiswal could not play a big innings. He was caught behind the wicket while trying to play a cut shot on the short ball of Asitha Fernando. During practice in Colombo he worked specifically on this weakness.
While practicing Sri Lankan style of bowling in the nets, the fast bowlers provoked him to play cut by bowling balls outside the off stump. However, Jaiswal showed patience by leaving many balls. This indicates that he would like to have more control over his shot selection in the second Test.
Big question in front of India regarding the third spinner
The biggest question in the playing-11 of the Indian team is regarding the third spinner. In the first Test, Kuldeep Yadav bowled a total of 25 overs in both the innings and took only one wicket. He was also the most expensive bowler of the team.
In such a situation, there is a possibility that off-spinner Saransh Jain will be given a chance in his place. Saransh, who plays Ranji Trophy for Madhya Pradesh, bowled a long bowling spell in the practice session and bowled to captain Shubhman Gill and wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant.
Considering the presence of left-handed batsmen in the Sri Lankan team, the off-spinner can prove to be a useful match-up option for the team. However, it is not considered certain to exclude Kuldeep from the final eleven. The team management will take the final decision keeping in mind the condition and circumstances of the pitch.
Also keep an eye on Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja
The Galle Test was brilliant for India's young spinner Manav Suthar. He demonstrated his bowling ability impressively by taking a total of 10 wickets in the match. He took four wickets in the first innings and six wickets in the second innings.
The Colombo pitch is also likely to help the spin bowlers as the match progresses. In such a situation, Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja can play an important role in the Indian bowling attack.
Jadeja also has a chance to achieve personal achievement. He has hit 399 fours in Test cricket. As soon as he hits one more four, his 400 Test fours will be completed. Apart from this, Jadeja has taken 49 catches in Test cricket. With one more catch, he will complete 50 test catches.
India's advantage in the World Test Championship
After the victory in the Galle Test, India is at fifth position in the points table of the World Test Championship with 53.33 percent points. If the Indian team wins the Colombo Test and clean sweeps the series 2-0, then its points percentage can increase to around 57.58.
With this victory, India can get a chance to reach fourth place in the World Test Championship table. Therefore, the Colombo Test is important for India in terms of a series win as well as the future Test Championship race.
India's record against Sri Lanka strong
So far 47 test matches have been played between India and Sri Lanka. In these, India has won 23 matches, while Sri Lanka has got success in seven matches. 17 test matches between the two teams have been drawn.
India's confidence is high after the 165-run win in Galle. However, the Sri Lankan team, playing in home conditions, will try to make a comeback in the second Test.
Spinners can get advantage on SSC pitch
The batsmen are expected to get help in the beginning of the match on the pitch of Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. If the ball hits the bat well, a big score can be made in the first innings.
However, as the match progresses and the pitch dries up, conditions may improve for spin bowlers. In the last three Test matches at this ground, spinners have taken 45 wickets, which is 10 more than the fast bowlers.
Given such circumstances, the team winning the toss may decide to bat first. India's Test record against Sri Lanka at this ground has also been competitive. The Indian team has won three matches here and Sri Lanka has won two matches, while four matches have been drawn.
Sri Lanka made changes in the team
Sri Lanka has made some changes in its team for the second test. Kamil Mishara is likely to get a chance to open in place of Nishan Madhushanka. Sahan Arachige has also been included in the team. He played innings of 72 and 127 runs in the unofficial test against India-A.
The Sri Lankan team is also struggling with the fitness of some players. The fitness of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will be monitored, while Dinesh Chandimal is out of the second match after suffering a concussion in the first Test.
India faces the challenge of winning the series
India has a chance to win the series 2-0 in Colombo. Captain Shubman Gill's record, Yashasvi Jaiswal's form, selection of the third spinner and Sri Lanka's attempt to make a comeback are making this match special.
Despite the victory in the first test, the Indian team would not like to take Sri Lanka lightly. The conditions in Colombo could become challenging for the spinners and difficult for the batsmen as the match progresses. In such a situation, India's batting depth and spin attack can play an important role in deciding the course of the match.