Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test, Preview: Lanka look to avoid inevitable whitewash

India has dominated the Royal Stag Mega Cricket Cup until the Second Test match at Colombo and has already acquired an unassailable lead of 2-0 against a depleted Sri Lankan side. The visitors are currently in the middle of an invincible streak at the moment as they clinched their eighth consecutive Test series victory and have remained unbeaten in whites since August 2015.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, would have a list of concerns to ponder over. The home side would look to salvage some pride out of the series by avoiding the whitewash which remains inevitable in front of the number one ranked side in the World. However, they would carry forward some positives from the Colombo after their stunning reply in the second innings, being asked to follow on.

Both sides would be looking at the Third Test at Pallekele differently, even though the match does not hold any significance in the outcome of the series. Which gives way to an interesting contest with India willing to try out their bench strength and Sri Lanka looking to make a strong statement.

Focus will be on

Kuldeep Yadav

With Ravindra Jadeja throwing the ball unnecessary at Pushpakumara in the Colombo Test match, the newly ranked number 1 all rounder in Test was handed a one match ban. Which has now opened doors for left-arm chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav who made an impressive debut at Dharamsala against the Aussies this March. He turned the match on its head, the very first day of the test match with his four wicket haul. He would be the one to look out for as far as the Indian team is concerned. However, the selectors have called in Axar Patel from South Africa and it would interesting to see who gets the nod ahead for the Pallekele Test.

Kusal Mendis

Kusal Mendis has already made a reputation for himself on the International stage and the onus will be once again on him to hold the batting together for Sri Lanka. He played a flamboyant knock of 135 ball-110 in the second innings of the last Test match, gathering a substantial amount of praise and applause along with the stellar knock of Karunaratne after Kohli enforced a follow on. He would be, yet again, the player to watch out for as far as the Sri Lankan team is concerned.

Playing Combinations

India

With the series sealed at 2-0, captain of India, Virat Kohli would be enticed to test out his bench strength. One name that would come up during the team meeting tomorrow morning would be that of Rohit Sharma’s. Together with Dhawan, Rahul, Kohli, Pujara and Rahane, the number one Test side has a solid batting order. If we add the glamour and class of Rohit Sharma at number 6, this Indian team looks a class apart.

However, including Rohit in the XI would create an imbalance in the Indian team and it is still unlikely that the Mumbai Indians skipper will be given a go at Pallekele. Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav will probably make way for Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Ashwin and Kuldeep Yadav would handle the spin department, with Hardik Pandya being all rounder.

Sri Lanka

With the absence of Rangana Herath and Nuwan Pradeep due to injuries, the bowling problems have only increased for the Sri Lankan side. However, looking at the green pitch tomorrow at Pallekele, Sri Lanka would want at least two seamers. Dushmantha Chameera and Lahiru Kumara should be the new ball bowlers for the home side along with Dhananjaya de Silva and Dilruwan Perera handling the spin department. It was baffling to see a quality player like Lahiru Thirimanne missing out on a large chunk of International action with Sri Lanka struggling in the longer format. He too would have a point or two to prove if he makes a comeback tomorrow.

Predicted XI

India:

Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Chetashwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravi Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav/Axar Patel, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Sri Lanka:

Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal(c), Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella(wk), Dilruwan Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Lahiru Kumara and Dushmantha Chameera

Stat Attack

-If India wins the 3rd Test, it will be the first whitewash for them outside home in a 3 or more match Test series.

-Only once Sri Lanka has been whitewashed in a 3 or more match Test series at home. Australia defeated SL in SL by 3-0 in 2004.

-KL Rahul has scored the fifties in his last 6 Test innings. If he scores fifty in his next innings, he will equal the world record for fifty-plus scores in 7 consecutive Test innings