After whitewashing Sri Lanka in the recent three-match T20i series, India is set to play a two-match test series against the Sri Lankan side, beginning with the first test on 4th March at Mohali.
This test match of India vs Sri Lanka will be significant because it will mark the beginning of Rohit Sharma’s career as the full-time skipper for the Indian side in whites. It will be pretty interesting to see the tactics employed by the duo of coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma.
Fans are delighted that they will be able to watch Virat Kohli live in action in his 100th test at the stadium itself, following BCCI’s decision to allow 50 percent occupancy in the Mohali Stadium during the first test. Now let us look at the recent form, playing conditions, and possible playing eleven for both teams.
Recent Form of India and Sri Lanka in tests:
India would want to shrug off the series loss against South Africa conceded recently in January under the captainship of Virat Kohli & will most definitely want to start anew under the leadership of Rohit. On the other hand, Sri Lanka would look to create a hat-trick of series wins in the longer format of the game.
- Indian openers are most likely to be Rohit Sharma and Mayank Aggarwal.
- The middle-order will boast of Shubhman Gill at three, followed by Virat Kohli at four and Shreyas Iyer at five due to the departure of two veterans, Pujara and Rahane, from the squad.
- In the test, Rishabh Pant is the first choice wicket-keeper batter for India, and he will be slotted at 6th position.
- At 7th and 8th, the spin duo of Ravi Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin will be placed, respectively.
- Finally, the three pacers, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammad Siraj, will fill up the remaining positions.
Probable playing XI of Sri Lanka for the first test:
- For Sri Lanka, the openers are probably going to be the Sri Lankan skipper, Dimuth Karunaratne, and a returning Lahiru Thrimanne.
- Their middle will possibly comprise Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Angelo Mathews.
- Dinesh Chandimal will keep the wickets for the Lankan Lions.
- All-rounder Chanika Karunaratne will feature in the side at the 7th position.
- Rest four slots will be filled by pacers, Suranga Lakmal and Dushmantha Chameera and spinners, L Embuldeniya and P Jayawickrema.
Unlike other venues in India, the pitch at Mohali offers great assistance to the fast bowlers due to its bouncy nature and greenish surface. Swing bowlers will likely be among the wickets with the new ball in hand. However, spinners will also have an impact as the pitch continues to deteriorate throughout the test match.
Prediction for India vs Srilanka 1st Test Match
India is easily the favorite to dominate and win the match to continue being unbeaten at home in tests against Sri Lanka.