IND vs Sri Lanka Second Test: First match in India with full capacity following the pandemic

Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) announced in a statement that 100 percent crowd capacity will be allowed for this Test Match. The hosts lead the series 1-0 after winning the Mohali Test. Rohit Sharma led India and will be eyeing to seal the series with a two-match win.

Team India started the Test Series on a winning note as they defeated Sri Lanka in the first match by an innings and 222 runs. After being appointed as full-time skipper, Rohit Sharma has yet to lose a match. 

India has until now played three Day/Night Tests, of which they won against Bangladesh and England and lost against Australia. Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli is the leading run-scorer for India in Day/Night Tests. He has tallied 241 runs from four innings at 60.25. In the game against Bangladesh, Kohli became the first-ever Indian to hit a hundred in a Day/Night Test.

Special milestone for the skipper

Besides the series, the match will be a special milestone for skipper Rohit Sharma. He is all set to become only the ninth Indian player in history to play in more than 400 international matches. Apart from Rohit Sharma, the other Indian players to play 400 games are Sachin Tendulkar (664), MS Dhoni (538), Rahul Dravid (509), Virat Kohli (457), Mohammad Azharuddin (433), Sourav Ganguly (424), Anil Kumble (403) and Yuvraj Singh (402).

Bio-bubble break for Kuldeep

The left-arm spinner, Axar Patel is expected to be straight back into India’s XI after recovering from a shin injury and COVID-19. He will replace left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the squad.

Injury blows in Sri Lankan camp

Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of the second Test match due to a back injury. This will be a huge blow as he was one of their stronger players in the first Test, scoring an unbeaten 61 in the first innings. With Lahiru Kumara also out of this Test with injury, Sri Lanka may play Chamika Karunaratne, the only other quick in the squad. 

Dushmantha Chameera will also not be available for selection as he is still on the road to recovery from an ankle injury. Captain DImuth Karunaratne said that Chameera’s workload is being managed as he’ll also be playing for Lucknow Super Giants this IPL season.

Pitch report and conditions

The wicket at this venue has been fruitful to batters. Pre-summer heat could make the pitch dry and crumble. Dew is unlikely to be present owing to the weather conditions, implying batting under lights would be a challenge. A lot will depend on what the pink ball has to offer on the pitch.

What to watch out for this match

Spinners have always done well on Indian pitches. From India, Axar Patel will be the most looked up to player as his track record in home Tests is impressive. Alongside him, Ashwin and Jadeja make it a super strong bowling attack for Team India and their capability of taking 20 wickets. The major challenge for Sri Lanka will be to keep their wickets in hand and score in front of this powerful bowling attack of India.

Probable XI for both the teams

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

Sri Lanka: Karunaratne (captain), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, Lasith Embuldeniya, Vandersay.