Galle : India are set to face Sri Lanka at Galle International Stadium for First Test starting from tomorrow (August 15) as both the teams would like to revive themselves in World Test Championship (WTC) points table.
India are currently at 5th position while Sri Lanka at 6th in WTC standings.
India’s Test history at Sri Lanka and what happened when they crossed paths at Galle in last time?
India’s first Tests in Sri Lanka were played in Colombo and Kandy, with Galle joining the list of venues in 1998. The Indian team played its first Test at the venue in 2001 and Galle has featured on every subsequent tour since. India have played five Tests at the venue and won two, with three others ending in defeats for the visitors.
This is the first time since 2017 that Indian team will travel to Sri Lanka for a Test series. When the last time India played at the venue in 2017, they pulled off a comprehensive 304 runs win, with hundreds from Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin also troubled the Batters as they bundled Sri Lanka for 245 chasing a mammoth 550.
Batters Adaptability and Spinners to play major roles
The picturesque Stadium of Galle near Indian Ocean and 17th century Galle Fort is known for Flat Pitches in first innings, Galle converts into rank turners by second innings and as the days pass by, helping spinners immensely. Only three players from previous Indian squad (2017 Sri Lanka Test series) will feature in this current line up – Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav and KL Rahul.
The main challenge for Shubman Gill and co will be not just taking 20 wickets, but putting enough runs on the board for their bowlers in subcontinental conditions. Notably, India struggled against spin in their last few home series especially against left arm ones – Mitchell Santner, Keshav Maharaj, Ajaz Patel, Simon Harmer (right arm offspinner) – India lost both those series at home. Sri Lankan test won’t be easy with their spinners adapted well to these conditions.
Sri Lanka coach Gary Kirsten while remaining diplomatic in his answer, said that they have done their homework and will do their best to use that information. “I think we have done as much homework as we can to understand what are the potential areas that we can exploit in the Indian team as they would be doing of us. And we will use that information potentially to our advantage. The game needs to unfold. And then once it unfolds and we see what we are required to do, we will then kind of plan accordingly,” Kirsten said in a select media interaction.
And the biggest threat, from India’s point of view, would be Prabath Jayasuriya. In the 11 matches he has played at Galle, the slow left-arm spinner has nine fifers and two ten-wicket hauls at an average of 26.62. He averages 24.7 against right-handers at home and it goes up to 35.9 against lefties and that is something India would want to exploit with Yasashvi Jaiswal, Padikkal, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja coming good.
However, Kirsten backs Jayasuriya to bring his best to the table. “He’s a world-class bowler, and he’s had great success at home. We believe that every bowler can make a contribution in a game. But it’s great to have him in the mix. But his focus will be on doing what he can do to help the team win,” said the Sri Lankan coach.
India bowling coach Morne Morkel felt having ten days before the Test match has allowed the batters to get used to the conditions in Sri Lanka and adapt accordingly. “I think the guys have learned a lot about their games individually over the last couple of months and that’s one of the reasons why we’ve come out here 10 days earlier to give them the best opportunity to prepare,” he told reporters on Thursday. “Now it is all about figuring out how they’re gonna score on the surface here,” Morkel said, referring to the Galle surface.
Indian could field three left-arm spinners in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, with bowling coach Morne Morkel saying Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Manav Suthar offer different skills and can form an attacking bowling combination. Kuldeep brings left-arm wrist spin and an attacking option, Jadeja relies on accuracy, while Suthar bowls a more traditional left-arm spin.
“Kuldeep is there, and he’s the attacking sort of bowler and for us, his experience and class can’t look past. So yeah, I think for us they’re all different in their way,” Morkel told the media here on Thursday.
“So one (Suthar) turns a bit more, one (Jadeja) is slightly more accurate and I don’t think it’s a (three left-arm spinners) massive concern for us.
“It’s just how Gill is going to use those guys at certain times. But yeah, I mean in terms of skill they’ve got the skill to get the 20 wickets for us,” he added.
Morkel said the Galle pitch could also support the decision to play three spinners, with conditions expected to become more helpful to spin as the Test progresses.
“Traditionally also if you look at the venue how it stacks and how it’s been played up, that’s sort of the way (three spinners) to go I think. The way we go with our spin bowling attack or spinners, it’s a very attacking option.
“But looking at the surface, you know, to me, looks like a good surface, and I think as the Test goes on, you know, something will start to happen.
“So, we’ve prepared for all that can come our way, as it is more about the mental challenge in playing these conditions, batting time, bowling those spells and getting the ball in the right areas,” he detailed.
India are also deciding on their second seamer alongside Mohammed Siraj. The choice is between Gurnoor Brar and Prasidh Krishna, both of whom have limited Test experience.
Morkel said either player would be ready if selected.
“I think it’s exciting. They’ve played a lot of cricket back home where it’s also tough bowling conditions, and I think coming here the biggest challenge will be the heat and humidity.”
While only time will tell whether they could adapt and deliver against spin, Gill and Co will be hoping to put an end to their struggles and bring back batting glory. For, they need their batters to step up now more than ever.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Squads
India : Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan
Sri Lanka : Dhananjaya De Silva (captain), Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Probable Playing XI
India: KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (c) , Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Sonal Dinusha, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando
India vs Sri Lanka Head to Head In Tests –
Matches played: 46
India won: 22
Sri Lanka won: 7
Tied: 17.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Pitch report
There is uncertainty around the nature of the pitch. Recent history suggests that it could play well for the batters, while spinners might come into play as the match progresses. Pacers are expected to get decent carry from the pitch only during the first two days.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test: Weather report
There is a forecast of rain, but the forecast has not necessarily been accurate. Rain was supposed to play spoilsport in Colombo during the practice game, but the match was completed without rain being a major factor.
India’s first red-ball tour of Sri Lanka in nine years comes with a few selection challenges. Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out through injury, Washington Sundar is unavailable for the opening Test, and Auqib Nabi has been added to the squad as Bumrah’s replacement. Those absences increase the importance of India’s spin-heavy approach.
The series also brings together two captains leading sides in transition. Gill has recently taken over India’s Test leadership responsibilities, while Dhananjaya de Silva has now spent nearly three years in charge of Sri Lanka’s red-ball setup.
Sri Lanka played very little Test cricket over the past year before returning to action in the West Indies in June, and they are still trying to rebuild momentum in the longest format since the retirement of legends like Kumar Sangakara, Mahela Jayawardena, Rangana Herath.
Indian team apart from Rahul, Jadeja and Kuldeep will play for first time at Galle and a Test in Sri Lanka. The quick adaptability is the key to success at this venue.
When and Where to Watch live streaming and Telecast of India vs Sri Lanka Test in India?
Sony Sports Network is the official broadcaster for India’s tour of Sri Lanka, with the matches televised on the Sony Sports Ten channels. Fans can also live stream the entire series through the SonyLIV app and website.
