The much anticipated India vs Sri Lanka series is all set to get kicked off in a couple of days’ time and it will mark the beginning of Virat Kohli’s captaincy era as he is set to lead his side for the first time in a full test series. This series will also be the final Test series of Sri Lankan legendary Kumar Sangakkara, who will retire after the second test against India at Kandy.
Head-to-Head:
Overall: India lead the Head-to-Head with 14-6 with 15 matches ending in a draw.
In Sri Lanka: In the 18 matches played in Sri Lanka, India has won only 4 while the hosts have won 6 with 8 match ending in a stalemate.
Pitch and Weather: According to the meteorological department, it is expected to rain throughout the Test match. The pitch at the Galle International Stadium will be a sporting wicket and will assist the spinners as the match goes on. With some rain predictions ahead, pacers will also get some help.
Statistics:
|
India |
|
Sri Lanka |
|
14 |
Head-To-Head |
6 |
|
729-9 at Mumbai (CCI) in 2009 |
Highest Team Totals |
952-6 at Colombo in 1997 |
|
138 at Colombo in 2008 |
Lowest Team total |
82 at Chandigarh in 1990 |
|
Sachin Tendulkar 1995 runs in 25 matches @ 60.45 |
Most runs by a batsman |
Mahela Jayawardene1822 in 18 matches @ 67.48 |
|
Anil Kumble 74 wickets in 18 matches at 31.20 |
Most wickets by a bowler |
Muttiah Muralitharan 105 wickets in 22 matches @ 32.61 |
|
Virender Sehwag 293 at Mumbai in 2009 |
Highest Individual Score |
Sanath Jayasuriya 340 at Colombo in 1997 |
|
Muttiah Muralitharan 8-87 at Colombo in 2001 |
Best Bowling figures |
Maninder Singh 7-51 at Nagpur in 1986 |
Hosts Sri Lanka will be determined to give their legendary batsman Kumar Sangakkara a fitting farewell. They know what they exactly need to do to gun down India. Opening with Kushal Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka will hope for a good start so that Kumar Sangakkara and Lahiru Thirimanne can cash in on the start and score big. Sangakkara, in particular will look to score big in his farewell series and Thirimanne has to score some runs to cement his spot in the side after the retirement of Mahela Jayawardena and Sangakkara.
Angelo Mathews, who has proved himself with the bat in the last couple of years comes in next followed by inexperienced Kithruvan Vithanage and talented Dinesh Chandimal, who is also the wicket-keeper. Dhammika Prasad will lead the bowling attack that has Rangana Herath as the strike bowler. With Dushmantha Chameera being a doubtful starter, Nuwan Pradeep will get a chance to prove himself and for the remaining slot, it will be a toss-up between Tharindhu Kaushal and Dilruwan Perera. Perera might just pip Kaushal for a place curtesy his performances in the last 18 months.
Kumar Sangakkara will look to make the most out of his farewell series
On the other hand, India has some huge decisions to make ahead of the first test. In-form opener Murali Vijay has been ruled out of the first test because of a hamstring injury and it paves way for KL Rahul to pen the innings along with Shikhar Dhawan. The biggest debate in the six batsmen-5 bowlers theory in Virat Kohli’s side comes for the perfect man for the number 3 slot. With two openers, Virat at number 4, Ajinkya Rahane at number 5 and wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha at number 6 sealing their spots in the team, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma are made to vie for the all-important number 3 slot.
Pujara, who was hailed as the replacement of Rahul Dravid at number 3 has been misfiring in the past one year and that has opened the doors for Rohit to bat at number 3. Rohit, who made a great start to his test career has been a pale patch of himself in the overseas tours. He failed to score a single ton overseas and has been scratchy in the warm-up tie against the SLBP XI last week. The team management will have a big decision to make and it is likely that Rohit might well get his place in the side after the faith skipper Kohli has in him.
Time for Rohit Sharma to Perform or Perish
R Ashwin will be the All-Rounder in the squad and will be team up with Harbhajan Singh as the spinners in the 5 men bowling attack that will have three pacers which includes Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron.
Preferred Playing Line-Ups:
India: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron.
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kumar Sangakkara, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Jehan Mubarak, Dinesh Chandimal, Tharindhu Kaushal, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Pradeep and Rangana Herath.