Debasis Sen, Galle: It will be perfect setting for Virat Kohli-Ravi Shastri combination to start their second innings as India face hosts Sri-Lanka in the first of the three match test series starting in Galle tomorrow. Virat led India will continue their dream run in tests as they lock horns with the hosts. The Indians will look to erase their bitter memories as they were humiliated by 64 runs at the same venue here in 2015.
Though a lot has changed since that last series, Kohli will be determined to start the series on a winning note. Virat has so far led the side to 12 wins in 17 Tests against the sides like West Indies, New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia in 2016-17 calendar year.
With Shastri back in charge, along with Bharat Arun guiding the bowlers, there is at least a familiarity about the team’s setting. It is perhaps the only positive aspect of this lengthy, at times distasteful, saga.
It was the first taste of victory away from home for this young team, as also a welcome change in results after successive losses experienced in South Africa, New Zealand, England and Australia previously.
It is the reason why the team management is not utterly worried even as KL Rahul has been ruled out of the first Test owing to viral fever. The Karnataka-opener was just returning to the international arena after recuperating from a shoulder injury that kept him out of action since March, when he was laid low again after the two-day practice match in Colombo.
It means skipper Virat Kohli will have to go in with Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund as first-choice openers. Before the tour began, the two batsmen were competing for one spot. The Indians had an optional practice session today with the fast bowlers given rest. It will be interesting whether the team management go in with three spinners or drop a fast bowler. Hardik Pandya, in that case will be making his debut.
Virat heaped loads of praises on Pandya ahead of the test match.
The wicket will play a big role in the context of the test match. Indian captain had a good look after the practice session in the afternoon. He was seen having a look at the wicket by removing the covers.
Two years ago, India made the mistake of playing five bowlers here and paid dearly as the shortened line-up was unable to handle Rangana Herath in the fourth innings.
R Ashwin is set to play his 50th Test, the composition of India’s attack will be a matter of debate right until toss time. If Kohli does pick five bowlers, there is no doubt he will go in with an extra spinner in Kuldeep Yadav.
In the first half of the home season, Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav were the preferred pairing, with Ishant Sharma benched and Bhuvneshwar Kumar made to wait for optimal conditions.
Squads: India: Virat Kohli (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Abhinav Mukund.
Sri Lanka: Rangana Herath (c), Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Danushka Gunathilaka, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Malinda Pushpakumara, Nuwan Pradeep.