India will begin a crucial two-Test tour of Sri Lanka on August 15, with Shubman Gill’s team facing an important examination of its progress during a period of major transition.
The matches in Galle and Colombo, running until August 27, come after India moved on from experienced batters Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. The bowling department is also undergoing change, with R. Ashwin no longer available, Jasprit Bumrah sidelined by injury and the selectors having moved beyond Mohammed Shami.
Much will therefore depend on Gill, K.L. Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal with the bat. Gill is also managing a niggle ahead of the series. India’s ability to handle spin could prove decisive on Sri Lankan pitches, particularly against left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya.
Indian batters have had limited opportunities to sharpen their skills against spin in domestic cricket because of packed international schedules and the IPL. That makes the challenge in Sri Lanka particularly significant.
Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna are expected to lead the pace attack, while Kuldeep Yadav and the other spinners will carry major responsibility. Ravindra Jadeja provides valuable experience, having taken 13 wickets during India’s successful 2017 tour. Kuldeep also featured in one Test on that trip.
India have dominated their last four series against Sri Lanka, including a 3-0 victory away in 2017. However, recent setbacks at home against New Zealand and South Africa underline the uncertainty surrounding the current Test side.
Sri Lanka, led by Dhananjaya de Silva, will look to exploit home conditions. Experienced batter Dinesh Chandimal will be among those expected to provide resistance. The hosts also have Gary Kirsten as coach, giving them a mentor with considerable knowledge of Indian cricket from his previous stint as India coach.
For India, the tour also provides opportunities for players such as Auqib Nabi, Gurnoor Brar, Manav Suthar and Saransh Jain to establish themselves. Rishabh Pant’s form could also have a significant influence on the visitors’ fortunes.
With Australia among the teams India will face during a demanding season, success in Sri Lanka could provide Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir with valuable momentum.
The series will ultimately test whether India’s new Test core can deliver consistently without the stars who defined the previous generation. For Gill, it is also an opportunity to place his own stamp on a team searching for renewed success in the longest format.
