A pink-ball Test match can be a double-edged sword, as the unpredictability of across different conditions can nullify any previous advantage or disadvantage of a team. Hence, despite an innings-defeat at Mohali, Sri Lanka will hope to run India close in its third pink-ball Test match at home, starting on Saturday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
India have a dominating record at home with the pink SG ball. In their previous two matches, against Bangladesh and England, they encountered two different types of pitches, at Eden Gardens and Motera, and yet managed to prevail. In fact, in the Ahmedabad Test against England, the world first witnessed how finger spinners can use the skiddiness of the pink ball to their advantage.
With 11 wickets, Axar Patel's left-arm spin was the key factor there. Axar is back back in the squad for the Bengaluru Test match. The pitch is expected to be dry, and India are likely to pick Axar ahead of Jayant Yadav to exploit the conditions.
India have not ruled out the possibility of a three-man seam attack, but having seen the Lankans struggle against spin in Mohali, any significant change in the game plan is unlikely from Rohit Sharma & co. They will want to ensure 12 World Test Championship points from this fixture.
For Dimuth Karunaratne and his team, it will be a test of their temperament. Having gone down without a fight at Mohali, Sri Lanka desperately seek some spark from their boys to be competitive despite being depleted.
Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera will miss out along with Lahiru Kumara, who bowled only 10.5 overs in Mohali. The management is also adding medium-pacer all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne in the XI in place of left-arm seamer Vishwa Fernando.
Pacer Suranga Lakmal, meanwhile, is playing his farewell Test match. The Sri Lankans will look to use his experience with the new ball, especially in the absence of Chameera. Another experienced professional, Kusal Mendis, will get a chance to resurrect his Test career. Mendis will replace Pathum Nissanka, who has a back injury.
Likely XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah
Sri Lanka: Lahiru Thirimanne, Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Chamika Karunaratne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Suranga Lakmal.
Fantasy tips
- Like Mohali, spin is yet again likely to be the dominating factor here. Hence, fill your fantasy XI with slow bowlers.
- The wait for Kohli's Test hundred may end at his adapted home. He will look to make the most out of his familiar conditions at Chinnaswamy.
- Along with spin, reverse swing can an important factor on a rough surface. Do keep the likes of Bumrah and Shami.
Fantasy XI
Rishabh Pant (wk), Niroshan Dickwella, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Dimuth Karunaratne, Ravindra Jadeja (c), R. Ashwin (vc), Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya