The picturesque Galle International Stadium will host the first Test of a two-match series between Sri Lanka and India from Saturday, August 15. India are ranked fifth in the World Test Championship cycle. Thus, they must kickstart their campaign. Unless they improve their form, India won't make it to the final. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are sixth in the same standings, and they too share India's destiny. India will miss Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah for this Test due to injuries. Sri Lanka have named wicketkeeper-batter Niroshan Dickwella as cover for Kusal Mendis, who has a hamstring injury.
India's bowling unit looks positively undercooked, with newbies Manav Suthar and Gurnoor Brar expected to populate the ranks. Mohammed Siraj, in the absence of Bumrah, will take the new ball. Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja make up the other bowlers in the unit. It is quite clear that apart from the latter, everyone is quite inexperienced. However, this problem can be solved if Siraj rises to the occasion and uses the new ball well. Usually a decent red-ball bowler, the Hyderabad seamer has lived under Bumrah's shadow for far too long, and it is high time that he emerges from beneath it.
In the batting department, Sarfaraz Khan (called up to replace Sudharsan) is expected to fit into the middle order, while Devdutt Padikkal will bat at number three. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal will open the innings, with captain Shubman Gill at number four. For the Lankans, Dinesh Chandimal and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva are the most experienced batters in their unit. If these players get going, India will have a challenging time, especially since the Lankans are known to be nigh on unbeatable in home conditions. All-rounder Ramesh Mendis will be one to watch out for as well.
Predicted Teams
SL: Nishan Madushka, Lahiru Udara, Pasiru Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva (c), Kamindu Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara.
IND: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (c), Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav.
Key Players
Dinesh Chandimal (SL): One of the most experienced players across both these sides, Dinesh Chandimal knows that he will have to score big to lead Sri Lanka to a series victory. Chandimal has played countless series against the Indians, and knows their strengths and weaknesses very well. At this stage of his career, Chandimal is an elderly statesman in the Lankan batting unit who everyone looks up to because of his application, grit and determination.
Sarfaraz Khan (IND): Middle-order batter Sarfaraz Khan has a good chance of making it count in this series. Recalled into the squad as a replacement for the injured Sudharsan, Khan will be keen on making the most he can do. The Mumbai batter is one of the most prolific in domestic cricket, and can bat for long periods of time. His footwork against spin bowling is noteworthy, too.
Match Prediction
Sri Lanka are the favourites. They know these conditions well. India's bowling unit can prove to be their undoing, with only Siraj and Jadeja having extensive knowledge of the pitches in Sri Lanka. The latter, despite his experience, has blown hot and cold over the last few years, and needs to be more consistent. India's batting unit also lacks a solid batter who can bat for days without losing patience. Lanka have an edge.