India and Sri Lanka will face off against each other in the second Test match in Bengaluru, beginning on March 12. The Indians currently lead the two-Test series 1-0 after picking up a massive victory in the first Test match in Mohali. Sri Lanka would be looking to try and put in a better performance after getting completely dominated last time around.
India will take on visitors Sri Lanka in the second Test after delivering an absolute hammering in the first Test match at Mohali, as they romped home by an innings and 222 runs. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja produced a spectacular all-round performance, scoring a brilliant 175* in the Indian innings, before picking up 9/87 across the two Sri Lankan innings, as the Indians wrapped up the Test match before end of play on Day 3. Jadeja, after that superb performance, has now moved up the ranks to become the No.1 ranked Test match all-rounder in the world, displacing West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder from the top spot.
India will head into the Bengaluru Day/Night Test match with a lot of confidence, after they comfortably bested the Sri Lankans in all departments in the first Test match. There was hardly a moment in the game where it even seemed possible that the Sri Lankans could emerge victorious. However, this Indian squad is not completely settled, especially the middle-order, which is now without senior duo Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane.
Hanuma Vihari and Shreyas Iyer have now been drafted into their respective roles, but the two do not possess the experience that Rahane and Pujara brought into the side, something that the Lankans could possibly take advantage of. A lot will rest on how India’s middle-order does, and their success or failure could have an impact on the future of Vihari and Iyer in their new-found roles in the side.
Key players
Hanuma Vihari will be one of the most important for the Indian side come the Bengaluru Test. While many expected Vihari to take up the No.5 slot, he came in at No.3 in Mohali, and also did very well. He looked very comfortable at the crease and was in complete control, scoring a well-constructed 58 before his eventual dismissal.
Replacing the veteran Cheteshwar Pujara will be a humongous task to say the least, and Vihari will definitely be expected to do well if he is to make his presence felt in the side and to establish himself as a long-term replacement to the now-ousted Pujara. Vihari definitely has the skill and is also vastly experienced at the domestic level. He has also played his fair share of Test matches, but has done so in different positions, more often than not in the lower-middle order. However, after a promising start, big things will be expected of the Hyderabad man.
Ravindra Jadeja is a rare breed of player, who can be picked in the squad even as a pure batsman or bowler, regardless of the format. His skills with both bat and ball can be matched by very few in the world, and in addition to this, his fielding ability sets him apart from everybody else. His world-class performance in the first Test, where he scored 175* and picked up nine wickets in the Test match, in his first game after returning from injury, will not be forgotten for a long time, and more of the same will be expected of the Saurashtra all-rounder.
Pathum Nissanka was perhaps the only Sri Lankan batsman who showed any fight against the Indian bowlers in the first Test. His unbeaten innings of 61 in the second innings had moments of great quality, and Sri Lanka would be hoping that Nissanka would be able to produce good performances on a consistent basis. His success could translate into success for the entire team come the second Test.
Lasith Embuldeniya was one of Sri Lanka’s best bowlers in the first Test at Mohali. The left-armer was bowling beautifully in Mohali, as his line and length was proving difficult for the Indian batsmen to score freely against. He also picked up a few important wickets, including that of Virat Kohli. He was overworked, and his figures took a beating as a result. But the quality was evident, and he will also be one of Sri Lanka’s key players.
Prediction
India will head in to the Bengaluru Pink ball Test as firm favourites after the drubbing they delivered to the Sri Lankans in the first Test. However, the Sri Lankan side will also be looking to take advantage of India’s unsettled line-up, particularly the middle-order, which is still in the trial stages. Nevertheless, the Indian squad seems too good for the inexperienced Lankan side, and will definitely be expecting another landslide victory to sweep the series.
