Colombo gives a flip in surroundings. There isn’t a fort overlooking the Sinhalese Sports activities Membership, nor ocean waves to catch a glimpse of. This venue has floodlights, skyscrapers stretching so far as the attention can see past the stadium, and the unmissable Colombo Lotus Tower, formed like a stem with a lotus bud on prime. Standing 350m tall, it’s maybe the image of the town’s fashionable architectural ambitions.
But it surely is not all concrete jungle on the stadium. The stands rise not more than two tiers, among the attraction of the grass banks stays, and there may be nonetheless a towering guide scoreboard, serving a reminder of a barely totally different period. SSC can also be steeped in wealthy cricketing historical past. The India Take a look at will probably be #47 right here – the second-most at an Asian venue after Galle hit 50 final week. There’s one other distinction between the 2 venues that can curiosity each groups: There have been twice the variety of drawn Exams at SSC (14). Galle incentivised endurance, Colombo will take a look at it.
The sapping warmth will solely add to the calls for, however India ought to arrive for this Take a look at in the most effective state of mind. There have been instances within the Galle Take a look at the place Sri Lankan batters might have put their facet forward however India fought on to retain their grip on the wheel.
After the sequence opener, head coach Gary Kirsten had purpose for optimism concerning the well being of Take a look at cricket in Sri Lanka. However he was fast to dismiss any speak of the World Take a look at Championship and the chances inside it. “Something is feasible, however we have to win matches,” he provided with a smile, not wanting his group get forward of itself earlier than a uncommon busy interval within the format.
Shubman Gill would need these first three phrases from Kirsten to reverberate in his dressing room too. Something is certainly potential, even after India suffered house defeats to South Africa late final yr. The Indian captain did the maths, and his group responded with a win. They attacked after they needed to; pulled again and stayed disciplined when that was the demand. India nonetheless have numerous floor to make up earlier than dreaming of a 3rd WTC closing look; however a win in Colombo will provide perception.
When: Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd Take a look at, August 23-27, 2026
The place: Sinhalese Sports activities Membership, Colombo
What to anticipate: Runs for batters, fatigue for bowlers. SSC has usually rolled flat decks, with groups batting first going massive. As soon as once more, toss will probably be vital. There’s additionally a forecast for some rain on every of the 5 days of the Take a look at.
Group Information:
Sri Lanka
Dhananjaya de Silva confirmed that Kamil Mishara will take the opener’s spot left vacant by Nishan Madhushka, who was dropped for the Colombo fixture. Mishara is uncapped however has obtained runs in red-ball cricket for the A group. “We would have liked that left-right batting combos,” Dhananjaya stated of Mishara’s choice. After how Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella batted in Galle, Sri Lanka will welcome left-handed batters with open arms.
Sri Lanka additionally introduced in Sahan Arachchige to the squad. The 30-year-old scored 72 and 127 throughout two unofficial Exams in opposition to India A, the place he additionally led Sri Lanka A. Additionally, he is left-handed. The toss-up will probably be between him and Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who made his debut in Galle as Dinesh Chandimal’s concussion substitute and obtained out for a first-ball duck. Dhananjaya stated there will not be a change within the batting order, which ought to maintain Sooriyabandara in for one more fixture at No.3, whereas the 4-5-6 batting axis is ready with Kamindu Mendis-Dhananjaya de Silva-Sonal Dinusha.
Possible XI: Kamil Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando
India
Might one other left-hander in Sri Lanka’s batting line-up tempt India to rope in off-spinner Saransh Jain? The indicators are there.
Saransh bowled within the nets two days out from the sport, the place he squared up Rishabh Pant a few instances. On the eve of the match, he additionally obtained to bat. Kuldeep in the meantime, sought relaxation on match day minus two and wasn’t current on the nets on the eve of the match both.
Possible XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill, Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav/Saransh Jain, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Do you know?
- Within the final three Take a look at matches on the venue, spinners have taken 45 wickets – 10 greater than pacers.
- Since Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Take a look at debut in July 2023, solely Joe Root has aggregated extra Take a look at runs than the India opener
- India have a 3-2 head-to-head file in opposition to Sri Lanka on the venue, with 4 attracts
What they stated:
“Extraordinarily satisfying, as a result of if you get these youthful gamers coming in and delivering immediately… there may be nonetheless numerous work to be completed. You possibly can’t decide gamers by just one or two performances. Sure, there may be numerous expertise and that’s what they convey for India, they usually delivered straightaway which is superb for Indian cricket.” – Gautam Gambhir on the performances of Devdutt Padikkal and Manav Suthar in Galle Take a look at
“Within the first Take a look at the distinction was the wickets you would take with the brand new ball. We misplaced 4 wickets within the first innings, however we had been solely in a position to get two of their wickets with the brand new ball. That was the massive distinction. A Take a look at match can change in that interval. We’re speaking about tips on how to change that and we’re coaching in direction of that aim. We wish to get extra wickets in that interval.” – Dhananjaya de Silva on the massive distinction between the 2 groups in Galle
