Sri Lanka vs India 2017 – 1st Test: India’s Predicted XI

Jul 25, 2017 at 10:59 AM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
Sri Lanka vs India 2017 – 1st Test: India’s Predicted XI

After all the blame games and controversy, cricket is finally set to take the centre stage for the Virat Kohli led Indian outfit. They have the services of Ravi Shastri as the coach, someone who mentored the team to a historic series win out here barely 24 months ago.

India’s previous Test assignment was against Australia, which turned out to be a rather thrilling series. In their own backyard, India cannot afford to take Sri Lanka lightly at any costs. Thereby the playing XI becomes far important.

Abhinav Mukund:

With regular opener and the ever elegant KL Rahul missing the first Test due to fever, the chance of a lifetime awaits Mukund. Having begun his career in 2011 and despite being rated highly, he has played just a handful of Tests. A failure at Galle could well mean the end of his start-stop career.

Shikhar Dhawan:

Shikhar Dhawan. Image Courtesy: AP

Pretty much like Mukund, Dhawan made it into the side thanks to a recurring wrist injury to Murali Vijay. With a fluent knock of 41 on his back in the warm up game, the recent form does favour Dhawan. A flat deck will surely suit Dhawan’s strength and like Mukund, this could well be his final chance in this form of the game. The last time he played a Test in Sri Lanka, it was right here in Galle, where he made a fine hundred.

Cheteshwar Pujara:

Just when it seemed in 2015 that Pujara’s career was headed towards a dead end, a resilient knock of 145 on an absolute minefield of a pitch turned it around. It was right here in Sri Lanka, and that innings at Colombo can be easily termed as his best till now. At Galle, the India number three would be eager to replicate his efforts of a couple of years ago.

Virat Kohli (c):

Virat Kohli. Image Courtesy: Getty Images

Kohli bossed the Test Arena in the home season of 2016/17 with an array of daddy hundreds. Not to forget, he became the first batsman in the game’s rich history to score four double centuries in as many series’ in succession. The Indian skipper loves playing against Sri Lanka and once he gets set, there could be mayhem in store for the hosts.

Ajinkya Rahane:

Ajinkya Rahane. Image Courtesy: AP

In India’s previous Test at Dharamsala, Rahane’s tactical brilliance as a leader stood out immensely. With the bat as well, Rahane remains in top form, having aced his way in the Caribbean with some big scores. The Mumbai batsman was a part of the side which won the series here a couple of years ago and played a key role with a second innings ton in the second game. At Galle, Rahane will be eager to carry on his good form.

Wriddhiman Saha (wk):

Saha as a keeper batsman simply stood out against Australia with a timely century at Ranchi. In that 2015 series victory here, Saha slowly emerged as the wicketkeeper India needed after MS Dhoni hung up his boots. Having scored two half centuries in that series, Saha is no stranger to playing in Sri Lanka. If India goes for a 6-5 combination, then Saha’s role with the bat becomes even more crucial, as runs lower down the order could mean the difference between a win and a loss.

Ravichandran Ashwin:

Among the leading all-rounders in Tests currently, Ashwin has fond memories of playing in Sri Lanka. He was the Man of the Series when India defeated Sri Lanka a couple of years ago, and his wicket taking ability stood out. Given the number of southpaws in Sri Lanka, Ashwin as a bowler will become ever more menacing.

Ravindra Jadeja:

Ravindra Jadeja. Image Courtesy: AP

India’s Man of the Series from their previous assignment will be eager to make it two out of two. On tracks that tend to crack up as the game progresses, Jadeja can simply run through the batting order and that remains his biggest asset. If the pitches turn out to be spin friendly, Jadeja could well rake in the moolah. To top it all, he must have gained tremendous confidence with the spell in the warm up game.

Kuldeep Yadav:

India’s latest spin sensation has outbowled his peers ever since he burst on to the international scene. The chinaman spinner turned the Dharamsala Test completely around with his four wickets in the first innings and played a key part in the side’s victory over Australia. With four wickets already to his name on Sri Lankan shores this time around, Yadav remains India’s X factor.

Mohammad Shami:

Ideally, at Galle, Shami should make his return to Test cricket, having featured last in the Mohali Test against England. With a history of prolonged knee related injuries, Shami’s workload needs to be efficiently assessed upon. With the red new ball, Shami can cause havoc right at the top and his accuracy remains simply brilliant. An out and out aggressive fast bowler, Shami should enjoy bowling in Sri Lanka.

Umesh Yadav:

Umesh Yadav. Image Courtesy: AP

Undoubtedly India’s best pacer of the previous season, Yadav has breathed fury whenever he has been handed over the ball. Stats wise, Yadav’s numbers might not seem too extra ordinary, but it has been the impact created by him which matters the most. Picking wickets at the crucial junctures, the Vidarbha pacer has played a significant role in India’s wins. At Galle, he is expected to carry on his good work.

Related Article
IND vs ENG: The Bigger Objective Is To Play 100 Test Matches – Ajinkya Rahane Hopes To Return To The Indian Team
IND vs ENG: The Bigger Objective Is To Play 100 Test Matches – Ajinkya Rahane Hopes To Return To The Indian Team

Jan 16, 2024, 12:54 PM


IND vs ENG: We Had Expected Ajinkya Rahane And Cheteshwar Pujara Not To Be There –  Aakash Chopra On India’s Transition Phase In Test Cricket
IND vs ENG: We Had Expected Ajinkya Rahane And Cheteshwar Pujara Not To Be There – Aakash Chopra On India’s Transition Phase In Test Cricket

Jan 14, 2024, 3:38 PM


WTC Final: It’s Going To Take A World Record Chase – Ravi Shastri Hopeful Of A Miracle Chase On The Final Day Of Ultimate Test
WTC Final: It’s Going To Take A World Record Chase – Ravi Shastri Hopeful Of A Miracle Chase On The Final Day Of Ultimate Test

Jun 11, 2023, 1:39 PM


WTC Final: He Is One Of The Most Disciplined Cricketers I Have Ever Worked With – Ricky Ponting Lauds Ajinkya Rahane For His Comeback
WTC Final: He Is One Of The Most Disciplined Cricketers I Have Ever Worked With – Ricky Ponting Lauds Ajinkya Rahane For His Comeback

Jun 10, 2023, 3:31 PM


WTC Final: Ajinkya Rahane Is The Ideal Cricketer To Come In A Game Like This – Nasser Hussain Lauds Indian Veteran For His Brilliance
WTC Final: Ajinkya Rahane Is The Ideal Cricketer To Come In A Game Like This – Nasser Hussain Lauds Indian Veteran For His Brilliance

Jun 10, 2023, 3:23 PM


WTC Final: Ajinkya Rahane’s Wife Radhika Reveals That The Batter Refused To Go For Scans After Being Hit On The Finger
WTC Final: Ajinkya Rahane’s Wife Radhika Reveals That The Batter Refused To Go For Scans After Being Hit On The Finger

Jun 10, 2023, 3:03 PM