Search for elusive Test win in India resumes

India and Sri Lanka (C) cricket fans waves flags on the eve of first cricket Test match between India and Sri Lanka at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali (AFP)

By Amindha de Alwis

Sri Lanka will once again seek their first Test match victory on Indian soil, a feat that has eluded even the best of their sides in 20 matches played across the waters.  

The first match of the two-Test series, which begins in Mohali today, is also a landmark occasion for the visitors, with it being the country’s 300th Test match.

Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne revealed that Niroshan Dickwella, on his return to the Test squad after suspension, will slot straight back into the side as wicketkeeper. 

He further added that Pathum Nissanka is likely to drop down to number three for this series but that his position could be flexible based on the match situation.

“Thiri (Thirimanne) will definitely open with me. Pathum Nissanka is set to play at number three but looking towards the second innings, we may have to make tactical moves if the wicket turns and if India decides to open the bowling with Ashwin. In that situation, Pathum may even open as a tactical move.” he said.

Karunaratne said that his side would most probably play seven batsmen, with the four frontline bowlers to be supplemented by the off-breaks of Dhananjaya De Silva and Charith Asalanka if necessary. 

Dushmantha Chameera is not expected to feature among the three fast-bowlers picked for the game.
“With the bowling line-up that India possesses, we will likely go in with seven batsmen. The plan is to play with four bowlers plus Dhananjaya (De Silva) and Charith (Asalanka).”

“Chameera has been playing T20s regularly the last few months, so we are giving him rest and are looking to play his in the pink-ball Test,” he revealed.

The series will also mark the swansong of pace spearhead Suranga Lakmal who has been one of the nation’s most reliable bowlers in overseas conditions, especially in the second half of his career.

“I know what a big loss Suranga is going to be. We do have Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, and Vishwa Fernando to fill those shoes, though. Personally, I am happy for the opportunity he has got. Getting a county deal is not something you get easily,” referring to Lakmal’s future stint with Derbyshire where he will link up with former Sri Lanka Head Coach Mickey Arthur. 

“His retirement will be a big loss to Sri Lanka Cricket, but we will try our best to give him a good farewell,” Karunaratne said.

The Sri Lanka captain also expressed that he sees a lot of confidence among the players and that the side holds a belief that Sri Lanka’s famous triumph in South Africa in 2019 could be repeated.

“I see a lot of confidence in the players compared to when we have toured India before. We have performed well in the last year. We have senior and junior players who have performed well, and I think it a good combination.”
“When we played in South Africa (2019), we were underdogs like this with nothing to lose and we gave our best. We have never won in India before and there is a lot of pressure on them to win. So what we have to do is to take that pressure to our advantage,” he said.

Meanwhile, India captain Virat Kohli, who will be playing his 100th Test match, will have a new-look middle-order for company with two out of Hanuma Vihari, Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill likely to feature in place of discarded seniors Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane.

India is expected to field a combination of two spinners and three quick bowlers with Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round capabilities allowing them room to play the extra frontline bowler, a tactic they have employed with regular success at home in recent years.