Galle: A Test series which would have been considered ‘just another one’ in India’s continuous run of winning games has suddenly assumed great significance because of the ‘coach-captain’ issue. India start their Sri Lankan campaign here Wednesday, against the hosts, who look completely jaded and disoriented. But even then, India will have to tread the path carefully.
Two years ago it was at this venue India were bowled out for 112 chasing 176 for victory in the fourth innings. A repeat act of the same kind will get tongues wagging after the unceremonious exit of Anil Kumble and the return of Virat Kohli’s favourite, Ravi Shastri as head coach. A change of coach is a normal affair and a captain has the right to have one of his ‘liking’. But the way the legendary Kumble was shelved, it did not leave a very good taste in the mouth. This being India’s first Test after Kumble’s exit, the daggers will come out should India fail again at Galle.
It was after the defeat here two years ago, that India embarked on a glorious campaign winning 10 of the 13 Tests they played at home. After the embarrassing defeat here, India won the next two Tests to win the series 2-1. Since then much water has flowed. Kohli has matured into an astute captain, Sri Lanka on the other hand, have slipped drastically in the Test arena. They just managed to pull it off against Zimbabwe when another embarrassment was about to strike a few days back.
India on the other hand have just lost one out of the 23 Tests they have played in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. They have matured into a formidable unit on the sub-continent soils. The batting has worked like a well-oiled machine and their record has been so impressive that even the absence of KL Rahul is not much of a worry to the team management. It means that Abhinav Mukund will get a second chance and Shikhar Dhawan who was drafted in the squad as the third option opener, will now partner Mukund.
The rest of the batting looks solid with Chesteshwar Pujara, Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Wriddhiman Saha. If Kohli still continues with his ploy of playing five bowlers, chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav will be the automatic choice to join Ravchandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. For the pace bowlers’ slots, Umesh Yadav is the first choice, then it will be a toss-up between Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Sri Lanka haven’t really looked the same side since the exit of their greats – Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. Their problems have compounded with newly-elected Test captain Dinesh Chandimal being ruled out of the game with pneumonia and Rangana Herath asked to lead the side.
Many are worried, that Herath being the only match-winning bowler Sri Lanka have, the additional burden of captaincy may affect his performance. But the hosts have no option as after Mathews, the left-arm spinner is the only experienced player in the squad.
Even then at home, no side should be taken lightly and Sri Lanka are no exception to this rule. The likes of Kusal Mendis, Niroshan Dickwella, Mathews himself and Kumara Lahiru have the potential to bat long. The inclusion of left-arm pacer Malinda Pushpakumara will add variety to the attack. The 30-year-old is yet to make his international debut, but boasts of 558 wickets from 99 first class matches.
However, keeping all things in perspective, India appear to have most of the aces up their sleeves. The only thing that can work in Sri Lanka’s favour will be the ‘underdog’ tag – they will not be under any form of pressure. That may be just the spark the hosts need.
Pandya may play: Kohli
India captain Virat Kohli hinted Tuesday that Hardik Pandya may get his maiden Test cap Wednesday against Sri Lanka as he chose to underline the all-rounder’s wicket-taking ability on all kind of tracks.
India had lost to Sri Lanka here during the 2015 series when Kohli went in with a combination of five specialist bowlers with a batsman short in the playing XI. However the presence of Pandya, who bowls fast medium and is a capable batsman, provides Kohli with the balance that he so aspires.
“Last time, we felt we probably were a batsman short and the fifth bowler did not do much in the game. We have those options again, but we have great balance in the side as well.
We have got a guy like Hardik Pandya, who is a wicket-taking bowler. Every game that he plays, on any surface, he has a knack of picking wickets. He has a great chance of playing tomorrow (Wednesday),” Kohli explained.
Kohli reckoned that it will be a good wicket to bat on. “There is a good grass covering and we expect it to be a good batting wicket. It was rolled yesterday (Monday) and I am sure today (Tuesday), it would have been rolled very nicely as well. And underneath the surface, it looks very hard. There is grass covering on it to keep the surface bound up and it should be a very good batting track,” the Indian skipper observed.
India will be missing KL Rahul, who is down with viral fever. Kohli stated that this is the opportunity for the others to show their mettle. These kinds of scenarios present opportunities to other players in the team to step up and show what they are capable of,” Kohli said. “As of now, Shikhar (Dhawan) will open with (Abhinav) Mukund. They can have a solid performance and stay with the team for a longer period and get more chances to play in the future,” he added.
Talking about Sri Lankan attack, the discussions veered towards veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath who will be leading the side. “He (Herath) is a quality bowler. Last time, he really dented us in that small chase. However, we know what he brings to the table and we are much better prepared this time,” Kohli asserted.
