Time: 4 Mar, 9.30 AM IST
Venue: Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali
Pitch Report
The seamers are likely to get a decent response from the wicket in Mohali, especially on the first two days. Due to natural wear and tear, the spinners will later fancy their chances.
Teams
Given his recent form, Shreyas Iyer is likely to be a part of the playing 11. Meanwhile, one of Shubhman Gill or Hanuma Vihari is likely to be benched.
Probable XI for India: Rohit Sharma (c), Mayank Agarwal, Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill/Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav
Experienced Angelo Mathews is expected to bat in the middle-order.
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis/Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrema, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Kumara
Fantasy Tips
We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Power Players
50 wickets against Sri Lanka in 9 Tests. 16 wickets at Mohali in 3 outings. 31 wickets in the last 4 Tests at home. Ravichandran Ashwin will be proud of such stellar numbers. In addition, he is also a capable batter down the order.
It will be a challenge for Sri Lankato negotiate Ravindra Jadeja’s spin bowling. Not only has he taken 23 wickets against them but also bagged 18 wickets at Mohali in only three appearances.
In India’s last Test series against England, Rohit Sharma finished as the leading run-getter (368). Against Sri Lanka, he has scored 419 runs at 59.85.
Virat Kohli has amassed 1,004 runs against Sri Lanka, including three hundreds and two double-hundreds. An average of 77 is an indication of his dominance.
Smart Picks
After scoring three consecutive fifties in the T20Is against Sri Lanka, Shreyas Iyer will be keen on carrying his rich form onto the Tests as well. Not too long ago did he score a ton on his Test debut against New Zealand.
Sri Lanka will strongly pin their hopes on Dimuth Karunaratne. Although he averages only 24 against India in 18 innings, his recent scores read 6, 42, 83, 147, 66, 118, and 244.
Given how India have struggled against the spinners lately, Lasith Embuldeniya might have a big role to play. He bagged 13 wickets in his last Test series assignment.
Dhananjaya de Silva likes to keep the scorecard ticking. He remained unbeaten on 155 in his previous Test against the West Indies. Not to forget that his off-spinners too have yielded results for Sri Lanka.
Pathum Nissanka’s compact style of play is perfectly suited for the longest version of the game. He averages 42 and is likely to open the batting.
India’s pace attack will be spearheaded by Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. The duo picked 26 wickets between them in their last Test series in South Africa.
Match Preview
Both sides have locked horns on 44 occasions, out of which India have won 20 and Sri Lanka 7. Out of the eight previous tours to India, Sri Lanka have never managed to win even a single Test.
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