We look forward to the third Test between Sri Lanka and India in Delhi where India could finish the series 2-0 and gain their 9th successive series win, or could the Lankans spring a surprise?
Overview
In test cricket recently home teams have dominated series regularly with the visiting side struggling even to make matches a good contest, and this one is no different, and the result everyone expects is by how much will the Indians, who are almost invincible at home, crush the sorry Lankans by.
The home side took Sri Lanka apart in the first two tests of the three-match series and looked hungry for more runs, except for the initial first 3 truncated days in Kolkata where the visitors had India on the mat. On the other hand, Sri Lanka don’t even look like a pale shadow of themselves and seem to have forgotten how they played against Pakistan.
Kohli and his side didn’t break a sweat in the last test, and they made Sri Lanka feel like death by a thousand cuts, with 3 centuries and a 5th double century for Captain Virat Kohli. For Sri Lanka, nothing seems to be going right, and what’s worse is their main bowler Rangana Herath is out of the 3rd test, which could make way for Lakshman Sandakan, the Chinaman.
For the third Test in Delhi, it is expected that the first session against the new ball will see how the batsmen get stuck in and can make merry when they get to grips. So, whoever wins the toss will pick up a huge advantage before a ball is bowled, as often is the case nowadays.
Squads
Sri Lanka
Dimuth Karunaratne – Sadeera Samarawickrama – Dhananjaya de Silva – Angelo Mathews – Dinesh Chandimal (capt) – Niroshan Dickwella (wk) – Roshen Silva/Vishwa Fernando – Dilruwan Perera – Lakshan Sandakan – Suranga Lakmal – Lahiru Gamage
India
M Vijay – Shikhar Dhawan/KL Rahul – Cheteshwar Pujara – Virat Kohli (capt) -Ajinkya Rahane – Rohit Sharma – R Ashwin – Wriddhiman Saha (wk) – 9 Ravindra Jadeja – Ishant Sharma/Mohammed Shamin – Umesh Yadav
Where The Teams Stand
Sri Lanka
The first test in Kolkata, taking the lead against the home side would have been a dream, but almost turned into a nightmare before bad light saved them. Usual hammering took place in Nagpur with Sri Lankans looking poor all over. With Herath out, Sandakan would come in. Also, Dhananjayan De Silva would take the place of Thirumanne.
India
The home side have out batted Sri Lanka, out bowled Sri Lanka, and dominated them in Nagpur. If there is a problem with them, it is their slip catching. Kohli’s record as a slip catcher has been abysmal in the last year. Ajinkya Rahane, on the contrary, doesn’t seem to know how to let the ball run past him in thin air but has got 3 ducks in his last innings to his name, and whether Kohli will continue to persist with him remains to be seen. Their slip catching needs to improve, and it will prove a vital cog in the Indian team. Particularly, going to tours of England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, where slip catches define test matches.
Prediction
India wrapping up a 2-0 series win in no time. The only question will be how long it will take them to do it.
Do you think India will win again, or can Sri Lanka cause an upset? Let us know in the comments below.
