Colombo : India will face Sri Lanka at Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo, in second Test. The Shubman Gill led men will eye a whitewash after they hammered Sri Lanka by 165 runs in first Test with help of Devdutt Padikkal’s ton and Manav Suthar’s 10-wicket haul.
Colombo is the scenic capital of Sri Lanka. Sinhalese Cricket Ground serves as headquarters of Sri Lanka Cricket and is also called “Lord’s of Sri Lanka”. The iconic 624 runs partnership between the legendary Sri Lanka duo Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena took place in this very venue. It has floodlights, good drainage system, high skyscrapers, unmissable Colombo Lotus Tower. It is a place that symbolizes the city’s architecture and modernization amid nature beauty.
The last time India faced Sri Lanka at this venue was back in 2017 where with tons of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and 5-fer of Ravi Ashwin helped India clinch the match by an innings and 53 runs. But the star was Ravindra Jadeja who took 7 wickets and scored 70 runs. Only Jadeja and KL Rahul (who also scored half century in that match) are the only players from previous squad who’ll feature in the second Test.
The Colombo Stadium will host it’s 47th Test, 2nd most at an Asian venue after Galle. SSC has also seen a record number of tied Tests (14).
Team News –
Sri Lanka –
Dinesh Chandimal, dealing with a concussion, will be missed in a batting order that is a touch short on experience. They are also without services of Kushal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka. But the way Sonal Dinusha batted in the first Test, offered hope. At Galle, in the second innings, he was casually sitting on the side-wall, soaking in the sun, and awaiting his turn to bat. A Test debut for Kamil Mishara is on the cards. The southpaw blitzed an unbeaten 145 in a recent domestic T20, but against India and in a Test, he would have to temper that innate aggression with caution.
The bulk of the home attack will lean on spinners Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha. Their interrogation of the Indian batters would be the key that would determine how this game will proceed.
Sri Lanka also roped in 30 years old left hander Sahan Arachchige who is in good form. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya De Silva stated that there won’t be any changes in Batting order.
Probable XI: Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Pasindu Sooryabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya De Silva (c), Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabhat Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Ashita Fernando.
India –
India don’t have any injury concerns as of this Test. However, form of Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal is a concern. Kuldeep Yadav was only lone spinner from Indian team who couldn’t make an impact , as he could only manage a single wicket on Spin friendly Galle track. 33 years old off spinning Allrounder Saransh Jain could therefore replace him. Jain came in after strong domestic returns and practice with Ball and Bat in nets intensely in these 2 days, drawing speculations of his debut. With more left handers in the team, Jain could make good impact.
Probable XI : Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (c), Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Saransh Jain, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Md Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Pitch and Weather Report –
SSC is known for Flat Pitches in first innings and gradually becomes spin friendly, especially in 4th innings. In last 4 Tests, Spinners have taken 45 wickets here – 10 more than pacers. The average first – second innings score ranges from 324-353. In the hot weather, runs for Batters and fatigue for bowlers are expected.
There is less grass on the surface, and it looks very solid, but the dryness beneath the surface could bring the spinners into the game early. For the fast bowlers, once again, it will be about toiling hard to take wickets. There’s forecast for some rain in each of 5 days. Showers are expected to play spoilsport, but they are unlikely to wash out the entire game.
Head to Head :
Overall Test –
Matches played: 47
India won: 23
Sri Lanka won: 7
Tied: 17.
At SSC –
India have edge over Sri Lanka with 3-2 head to head record at this venue with 4 draws. They’re the only visitors to have recorded 3 wins in SSC.
Sri Lanka have never defeated India since 2015 in Tests. India on other hand have not won a Test series since 2023, and will like to eye whitewash. A 2-0 win could guarantee boost in WTC points and surge to 4th position in table.
