Sri Lanka vs India Test Series Preview
There was a time when the matches between India and Sri Lanka were an overdose. But, the last Test series between the teams was in 2010. We have to go back to 1993 to see an instance of India winning a Test series in the Emerald nation. When the three Test series kicks-off at Galle on August 12, it will give a chance to end the wait.
The series will mark the first full assignment as Indian captain for Virat Kohli. He led the team in Australia after MS Dhoni’s retirement and the one-off Test in Bangladesh but this is his first chance in a full series.
In his shorter stint so far, Kohli has shown that he can be an aggressive captain. He likes getting on the field with five bowlers so expect him to continue the trend here. It could be a toss-up between Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara for one position.
On the bowling front, it would be a great chance for Harbhajan Singh to prove that he can still perform at international level. And if India harbor any hopes of winning the series, it would have to be on the back of runs from Ajinkya Rahane. He looks great value to be the leading Indian batsman at $5.50 at CrownBet.
For the hosts, this is a more sentimental series. It marks the end of an era for the island nation which will be the last for Kumar Sangakkara. The talisman has been the torch-bearer for the Lankans for a long time.
The series will present a great chance for youngsters like Lahiru Thirimanne and Upul Tharanga to stake claim. They will not get a better chance than at home against India.
India always struggled against left-handed opening batsmen. Dimuth Karunaratne is in fine form from the Pakistan series and should look forward to a productive series. We’ll be backing him for the leading Sri Lankan batsman at $5.00 at CrownBet. What also troubled India in the past is mystery spin and Tharindu Kaushal should hope to pick wickets aplenty. You can back him to be the leading wicket taker for Sri Lanka at odds of $2.90 at CrownBet.
It is very difficult to pick a winner of the series because of the monsoon factor. Rains could still play a part in interrupting games, but it should be an enthralling series to watch!
