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Second Test from today
Denied by the ‘Weather Gods’ in the opening Test, a supremely confident India are set to make some strategic changes to ensure that their dominance of Sri Lanka continues unchallenged in the second match starting here on Friday.
Nagpur: Denied by the ‘Weather Gods’ in the opening Test, a supremely confident India are set to make some strategic changes to ensure that their dominance of Sri Lanka continues unchallenged in the second match starting here on Friday.
Having earned the psychological edge by blowing the Sri Lankan top and middle order during the final session of the drawn first Test, the hosts will once again play on a green track at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Jamtha.
The hint of grass on the pitch is in keeping with the team's preparation for the gruelling South African tour which starts next month. A decent cover of green on the match strip is a marked departure from what has been a traditionally low and slow batting belter over the years.
For India, the challenge will be to produce an improved performance in trying conditions even though it is expected that the challenge to score runs on this track will be a wee bit less than what it was at the Eden Gardens under overcast conditions.
Kohli has shown how to take a bull by its horn with the magnificent ton in a pressure situation and his men will be itching to do the same against Suranga Lakmal and company.
India's most technically equipped opener Murali Vijay will be making a comeback into the playing XI. Another certainty is Ishant Sharma – the most capped player in the current Test squad with 77 matches in whites.
Ishant has done his hard yards in the domestic circuit with 20 wickets from four Ranji Trophy games. He has bowled 116 overs in all, which has been a commendable effort as he was leading the side in all those games. But it will be interesting to see if India persist with two spinners – especially Ravindra Jadeja, who made very little contribution with the ball and had a lukewarm match as a batsman.
If it’s a case of variation in spin bowling, chinaman Kuldeep Yadav is an option but in case there is good carry, rookie Vijay Shankar could be handed his maiden Test cap.
Sri Lanka on their part will be happy that they have not lost the first Test after initially dominating the home team for the better part of first four days. There is a chance that pacer Lahiru Gamage will lose his place in the playing XI after an indifferent performance on a seamer-friendly Eden Gardens track.
If Sri Lanka continue to play three pacers, Vishwa Fernando could be an option. If they prefer an extra slow bower, then Lakshan Sandakhan will get the nod.
