Sri Lanka v India, 2nd Test – Sri Lanka Predicted XI

After a crushing defeat at the hands of the dominant visitors, Sri Lanka will look to bounce back in the 2nd Test at the SSC Stadium in Colombo. While the Indians will go into the encounter as the favourites, the hosts have a lot to prove in this match. However, the Sri Lankan line will line up will see a few changes as the team prepares to level the series.

Newly appointed Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal makes a return to the playing XI after missing the first match at Galle. The right handed batsman was ruled out of action due to a lung infection and had to be hospitalized. Fortunately for the Sri Lankans, he was released from the hospital soon and is now ready to take part in the contest.

Asela Gunaratne’s fractured thumb has forced him to the sidelines for the rest of the series. The Lions will definitely miss his services with the bat and even with the ball as he was an integral part of the starting line up. Rangana Herath also picked up an injury during the first Test which restricted him to bowl only 9 overs in the second inning. He also could not come out to bat on the last day’s play. Considering all the factors and replacements, here is the Sri Lankan predicted XI for the 2nd Test:

Openers (Danushka Gunathilaka and Dimuth Karunaratne)

Gunathilaka is likely to be given back his opening spot as the experiment of opening with Tharanga did not go according to plans. Gunathalika played as an opener in the series against Zimbabwe and the Lions will most probably go back to square one.  Dimuth Karunaratne remains constant at the opening spot after a decent first Test. the batsman played a valiant inning of 97 runs in the second inning when the wickets kept on falling at regular intervals. Sri Lanka will now hope this combination to click and it is upon these two batsmen to give them a solid start. Gunathalika who played dismal knocks of 16 and 2 batting at number 3, will now bat in his preferred spot.

Middle Order (Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella)

The huge responsibility of the number 3 spot is most likely to be taken up by Kusal Mendis. Mendis, who is the highest rated batsman in the Sri Lankan team right now will look to do justice to this opportunity. A batsman of extreme potential, Mendis is yet to fire in the series as he failed to score big at Galle. But it would be safe to hand over the all important number 3 spot to the most promising talent in the team.

Skipper Chandimal will bat at his usual number 4 spot and will fill in the void for Gunaratne. We are all aware of Chandimal’s capability as a batsman as he played a brilliant 167 run knock against India in the first Test in 2015 which led Sri Lanka to victory.

His return will definitely provide stability to the middle order and the Lions will hope that he can make his presence felt. Upul Tharanga will move down the order as he failed to perform as an opener. Now the experienced batsman will be expected to contribute in the middle order like he did against Zimbabwe. Niroshan Dickwella wraps up the Sri Lankan middle order and with his capability to step up when the team needs the most the middle order looks stronger than the one they fielded in the first Test.

All-rounder (Angelo Mathews)

Former Test skipper Mathews has been a valiant warrior for Sri Lanka over the years. With a sense of maturity and responsibility, the right arm all-rounder is a true leader on the pitch. However, after resigning from captaincy the player will now completely focus on his performance with the bat and the ball. Mathews played a rock solid knock of 83 runs in the first inning of the first Test at Galle and has looked comfortable against the Indian bowlers.

Bowlers (Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Pradeep)

Sri Lanka will most probably pitch the same bowling line up in the second Test at the SSC. Rangana Herath will take the field despite suffering an injury scare in the first test which is a huge sigh of relief for Chandimal’s men. Sri Lanka will hope for Nuwan Pradeep to repeat his scintillating display with the ball like he did in the first Test. The bowler picked up his career best of 6 for 132 in a one man show.

Dilruwan Perera and Lahiru Kumara are the other two bowlers who will get another chance to make some impact in the series. Both the bowlers could not live up to the expectations in the first round but will have a huge role to play if they want to restrict the consistent Indians to a small total.