Internet Desk: It will be another greenish wicket on offer as hosts India take on Sri Lanka in the second test match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium in Jamtha. The wicket at Jamtha is quite a similar one with Eden Gardens where the hosts failed tantalisingly short of inflicting a result. Weather Gods did played a spoilsport as most of the first two days were washed away.
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.
Indian captain Virat Kohli feel the wicket will suit the fast bowlers in the first couple of days.
“It seems to be a good pitch. It will be helpful for the fast bowlers at least on the first two days,” said Kohli in his pre match press conference.
Opener Murali Vijay looks all set to make a comeback into the playing eleven as Shikhar Dhawan has opted out from the test match owing to personal reasons. The Tamil Nadu opener’s compact technique should come handy for the team.Vijay s ability and clarity on where his off-stump is makes him a valuable asset in the longest format as he has the patience to leave a lot of deliveries.
Another certainty in the playing XI is Ishant Sharma the most capped player in the current Test squad with 77 matches in whites.
With Bhuvneshwar Kumar getting married, the lanky speedster is expected to get two shots to keep the other pace bowling contenders in the playing XI for South Africa tour on tenterhooks.
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.
While KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Kohli will come into the game brimming with confidence, Ajinkya Rahane will be looking to quickly hit the straps after his twin failure in Kolkata.
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 high chance that pacer Lahiru Gamage will lose his place in the playing XI after an indifferent performance on a seamer-friendly Eden Gardens track, where he went for 156 runs in two innings with only a wicket to show for his efforts.
If Sri Lanka continue to play three pacers, then left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando could be an option. And in case they want to go with extra slow bower, then chinaman Lakshan Sandakhan is waiting in the wings.
Overall, with the forecast of a clear skies on all the five days, a result is expected from the second test match of the series.
The wicket at Jamtha is quite a similar one with Eden Gardens where the hosts failed tantalisingly short of inflicting a result. Weather Gods did played a spoilsport as most of the first two days were washed away.
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.
Indian captain Virat Kohli feel the wicket will suit the fast bowlers in the first couple of days.
“It seems to be a good pitch. It will be helpful for the fast bowlers at least on the first two days,” said Kohli in his pre match press conference.
Opener Murali Vijay looks all set to make a comeback into the playing eleven as Shikhar Dhawan has opted out from the test match owing to personal reasons. The Tamil Nadu opener’s compact technique should come handy for the team.Vijay s ability and clarity on where his off-stump is makes him a valuable asset in the longest format as he has the patience to leave a lot of deliveries.
Another certainty in the playing XI is Ishant Sharma the most capped player in the current Test squad with 77 matches in whites.
With Bhuvneshwar Kumar getting married, the lanky speedster is expected to get two shots to keep the other pace bowling contenders in the playing XI for South Africa tour on tenterhooks.
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.
While KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara and skipper Kohli will come into the game brimming with confidence, Ajinkya Rahane will be looking to quickly hit the straps after his twin failure in Kolkata.
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 high chance that pacer Lahiru Gamage will lose his place in the playing XI after an indifferent performance on a seamer-friendly Eden Gardens track, where he went for 156 runs in two innings with only a wicket to show for his efforts.
If Sri Lanka continue to play three pacers, then left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando could be an option. And in case they want to go with extra slow bower, then chinaman Lakshan Sandakhan is waiting in the wings.
Overall, with the forecast of a clear skies on all the five days, a result is expected from the second test match of the series.