Sixteen wickets fell for 338 runs on an action-packed Saturday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in the second Test match between India and Sri Lanka. The pitch was dry to start with and had everything on offer, both for the batters and of course the bowlers, although the latter who ran away with the honours. Even then, Shreyas Iyer and Angelo Mathews in their innings of contrasting brilliance.
India won an important toss, but batting was difficult right from the start. They were bowled out for only 252. However, they hit back later at night to restrict Sri Lanka to 86/6 by stumps. They will aim for a three-figure lead. Under these conditions, that will be a decisive factor.
Niroshan Dickwella is Sri Lanka's last hope to get close to India's first innings score. He is on 13, and will look to get some quick runs for his team.
In hindsight, the Indian batters too will look for a better show in their second innings. Mayank Agarwal, who last posted a fifty in the first Test match in South Africa, will be little under pressure to justify his selection. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, too, are due for big scores.
Nevertheless, whenever India will get to bat in their second innings, their primary objective will be to set India a target of 300.
Fantasy tips
- Back the Indian bowlers to roll over Sri Lanka within 150 in the first innings.
- In India's second innings, Dimuth Karunaratne will unleash his spin trio right from the word go. It will not be surprising if Suranga Lakmal does not get to bowl a longer spell for one last time in his farewell Test match.
- Kohli may come out with a positive approach, like what Rishabh Pant and Iyer did in the first innings.