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Internet Desk: Indian skipper Virat Kohli recently faced a major problem as the services of the Indian openers are in a major doubt. India missed the services of KL Rahul in the first test on account of being down with viral fever.
However his absence didn’t effect as India thrashed the Lankans by a huge margin and won the game by 304 runs.
Indian opener Dhawan smacked his fifth Test hundred at Galle, scoring 190 off 168 balls, a knock that put India in command on day one itself.
Mukund did score his second Test half-century in the second innings, but it could be a case of too little, too late for the Tamil Nadu opener.
According to Kohli, if Rahul is proved to be fit for the next match, then Mukund would be left out from the squad.
Upon inspection of the pitch at SSC, Kohli claimed that it is a good wicket and would serve the bowlers as the wicket looks to have a lot of runs.
Indian team head coach Ravi Shastri was apparently closely watching the batting practice of Rahul and of Pujara. The latter will be playing his 50th test match in his next test.
Ahead of the next test, the Indian team also had an optional practice session where the bowlers were given rest out.
As for the Lankans, there is good news. Skipper Dinesh Chandimal who was down with pneumonia has recovered and will be playing the second test.
Lahiru Thirimanne has also been called up as replacement for injured Asela Gunaratne who broke his left thumb whilst fielding on day one of the first Test and was ruled out of the remainder of the series.
Thirimanne had last played Test cricket for Lanka against England in 2016, and on his comeback trail, scored 59 runs in the two-day warm-up game India played in Colombo before the first Test.
Left-arm wrist-spinner Lakshan Sandakan has been brought into the squad as backup for Rangana Herath. The left-arm spinner, stand-in skipper at Galle last week, had injured his left hand whilst fielding too during the first Test.