Sri Lanka Vs India 2017, 1st Test: Sri Lanka’s Predicted XI

Jul 25, 2017 at 5:27 PM

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Sri Lanka Vs India 2017, 1st Test: Sri Lanka’s Predicted XI

Sri Lankan players are raring to go with a full swing against India, in the first Test of the three-match series at Galle International Stadium, after newly-appointed skipper Dinesh Chandimal suffered from Pneumonia which eventually ruled him out of the Test scheduled from Wednesday (July 26).

(Read Here: Sri Lanka vs India 2017: Stats Preview of Tests Played In Sri Lanka).

For the first Test, the Lanka will be led by experienced left-arm orthodox spinner Rangana Herath, as the hosts would be eyeing to give a fight back to the formidable India. Following the fresh strategy, Sri Lanka would be brimming with confidence after setting-up a record-chase of 388, in the Asian conditions against Graeme Cremer-led Zimbabwe.

Talking about the top order, the team would be heavily relying on its opening batsman Upul Tharanga, who has had a lot of experience on his back, as his left-handed partner Dimuth Karunaratne would be equally up to the task — to opt for a decent start while facing the quality bowling line-up of visitors which includes Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav.

It’s expected that Rangana Herath will consider to going in with all-rounder Dilruwan Perera, as a slow bowling option, in a bid to bowl in tandem against quality batters which India has availed over the years, as skipper Virat Kohli is ruling the roost.

On the flip side, Sri Lanka might throw in all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva in the Playing XI, but having a keen look at the squad, the Lions have already availed a couple of all-rounders, who also featured against Zimbabwe in the One-off Test.

Concurrently, Sri Lanka is placed seventh in the ICC Test Rankings, as they have played 32 Tests to see their rating points as 92. Earlier, the squad was validated by Sri Lankan Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayaskera, after the selectors have had framed a team.

The worrying sign for the hosts has been players finding themselves unfit for the all-important clashes in the recent past, as the side has found it difficult to find the able replacements after veteran Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara announced retirements.

Of late, Sri Lanka witnessed the return of fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep and all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva for the Test. However, Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne were among the runs against Zimbabwe and they are expected to play their part in the middle overs. Ahead of the first Test, the former skipper, Angelo Mathews would be aiming to give his best both with the bat and a ball in the foreseeable future for Sri Lanka.

Moreover, the pressure to perform would be playing on the Sri Lankan players, as the spinners are expected to play a significant part owing to the sub-continent conditions.

Rangana Herath is expected to play a crucial role in Sri Lanka. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

Sri Lanka could be seeing it as an opportunity at the top, as Murali Vijay has been ruled out owing to the wrist Injury after playing a significant role for India in the Test set-up.

However, the weakened side has to come up with the top-notch cricket in the longer format against a team which has produced splendid results in the past season, as the visitors’ spinners; Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin could pose a serious threat to the batters.

Gone through a tough phase against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh recently, in 2016, the Lions lost three-match Test series 2-0 against England, before levelling the series against Bangladesh 1-1. Coming to the conclusion, the Lankan line-up has been bolstered by the inclusion of Nuwan Pradeep, as Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Kumara will be bowling in tandem with Negombo-born 30-year-old bowler after sweating out in the nets while looking to overcome against dominant India.

With the inclusion of experienced Chaminda Vaas, who knows the pros and cons, as a bowling consultant will boost the morale of the youngsters in the Lankan squad.

In 2015, India claimed the three-match Test series 2-1, after losing the first Test by 63 at Galle.

Here’s Sri Lanka’s Predicted XI:

Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep and Lahiru Kumara.

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