Time: March 12, 2 PM IST
Venue: M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Pitch Report
The pitch at Bengaluru has a reputation for producing high-scoring games. If anything, it can be a Bermuda Triangle for the bowlers at times. The pink ball, however, works in the favour of spinners in these conditions. The red soil used in the Bengaluru wicket often deteriorates as the match progresses.
Teams
Axar Patel’s numbers in home Tests including the pink ball are exceptional. The axe is likely to fall on Jayant Yadav.
Probable XI for India: Rohit Sharma (c), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Pathum Nissanka has done well at the top in limited-overs. Given Sri Lanka need to strengthen their fragile batting, the experienced Dinesh Chandimal is likely to feature in the middle-order.
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Suranga Lakmal, Vishwa Fernando, 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
Axar Patel was the Player of the Match in India’s previous day-night Test, against England. His match figures read 11 for 70. In 5 Tests at home, his bowling average is 11.8. With the bat, he averages 29.8.
Ravindra Jadeja is now the No. 1 all-rounder in ICC Test Rankings. He was the captain of the Ultimate Team on My11Circle in the first Test, accumulating points with his terrific knock of 175 runs and 9 wickets.
Rishabh Pant has six scores between 89 and 96, four hundreds, and eight fifties. At home, he averages 68.7 with the bat and has taken 23 catches in 7 Tests.
R Ashwin did what he usually does but was overshadowed by the brilliance of Jadeja. He scored a fine fifty in the first innings and took a total of 6 wickets in the match.
Smart Picks
Pathum Nissanka has been Sri Lanka’s best all-format batter this season. He remained unbeaten on 61 off 133 in the first innings, playing excellently against India’s spinners. In 5 Tests, he has already scored five fifties and a hundred.
Hanuma Vihari, India’s new No. 3 batter, showed exceptional control in his knock of 58 off 128. His approach clearly showed that India want him to bat at his own speed.
Niroshan Dickwella fancies playing attacking cricket against India and has been successful at it. He has smashed 141 runs and inflicted 16 dismissals in 7 Tests.
As has been the case for the last two years, Virat Kohli looked fluent until he lasted. He looked set for a big score, but Lasith Embuldeniya skidded one through and to his defence. The pink ball is likely to suit his style of bowling.
Angelo Mathews (22 and 28) got starts in both innings but failed to convert them into impactful knocks. That said, Sri Lanka will continue to bank on his experience.
Dimuth Karunaratne has the highest score of 196 in day-night Tests. Sri Lanka will need his experience and skills if they are to draw the series.
Match Preview
India have won both day-night Tests, against Bangladesh and England. On the other hand, Sri Lanka have beaten Pakistan and West Indies in their own den before losing to Australia. These results are good for a team that has been in the transitional phase. That being said, Sri Lanka’s performance in the opening Test gives little to no hope to their fans.
