Colombo Test: Can Sri Lanka bounce back against India?
What's the story
Team Sri Lanka is hoping its spinners will step up in the second Test match against India, starting Sunday at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground (SSC) in Colombo. The hosts are looking to equalize the two-match series after losing the opener in Galle by 165 runs. Meanwhile, the visitors would want to put up another emphatic show. Here we present the match preview.
Match conditions
Toss will be crucial
The toss will be a crucial factor in the second Test.
The batting conditions on Day 1 of the last Test were the best of the match, with Sri Lanka hoping to win that toss on Sunday.
Spinners are likely to play a massive part in the latter stages of the game.
The game, which will be underway at 10:00am IST, will be aired live on the Sony Sports Network and live-streamed on SonyLIV.
Match summary
India's spinners outperformed Sri Lankan counterparts in the 1st Test
In the first Test, India's spinners Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja outperformed their Sri Lankan counterparts Prabath Jayasuriya and debutant Keshara Nuwantha.
For the second game, the uncapped duo of Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige have been drafted into the team.
The changes made for the SSC Test are only in the batting department, as there are no better spinners available to challenge India's spin attack.
Key players
Manav Suthar has quickly become India's lead spinner
Manav Suthar has quickly become India's lead spinner, taking wickets in both innings of his Test.
He displayed overspin, work on the ball, long spells, and natural variation from the surface.
On the other hand, Sonal Dinusha looked comfortable against India's spinners and came close to scoring twin centuries in the first Test.
Sri Lanka may promote him to give their replacement for Dinesh Chandimal a bit of cushion.
Game updates
Injury list increases for Sri Lanka after 1st Test
Sri Lanka's injury list has increased after the first Test, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis still recovering.
Dinesh Chandimal is out with a concussion.
They have also dropped opening batter Nishan Madushka and spinner Ramesh Mendis.
India is likely to stick with Kuldeep Yadav despite claiming only one wicket in the comeback Test as they look for consistency in their spin attack.
If the wrist-spinner is left out, uncapped all-rounder Saransh Jain would get a go.
XIs
A look at the probable line-ups
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.
India (Probable XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav/Saransh Jain, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.
H2H
A look at head-to-head record
According to Cricinfo, India and Sri Lanka have locked horns in 47 Tests. The former has a 23-7 lead over the Lankans, with 17 Tests ending in a draw.
Across 25 Tests on Sri Lankan soil, India have won 10 and lost seven. India's last Test defeat in the island nation was back in 2015.
From nine Tests in Colombo, India have secured three wins, four draws and two defeats.
Overall, Sri Lanka own 22 Test wins at this venue. They have featured in 46 matches (10 defeats).
Performers
Here are the key performers
Young left-arm spinner Suthar led India's charge with the ball in Galle, claiming a 10-wicket match haul.
Prabath Jayasuriya has been brilliant in home Tests, claiming 103 wickets across 15 games at an average of 26.88.
Albeit in a losing cause, Dinusha put on a stellar show with the bat in the opening Test, recording scores worth 100 and 84.
Rishabh Pant made history in Galle by becoming the fastest player to complete 100 sixes in Test cricket.
Poll
