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Sunday 23 August, 05:30
TV: Sky Sports
Sri Lanka v India second Test team news
Sri Lanka were well beaten in the first Test and they have suffered a blow to their hopes of squaring the series, losing experienced batter Dinesh Chandimal.
Chandimal suffered a concussion so cannot play. His place is most likely to go to Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who was used as Chandimal's concussion sub. Unfortunately he got a golden duck.
Other squad changes more than hint at a team unsure of how to find a way to win. Dilshan Madushanka, Nishan Madushka and Ramesh Mendis are out. Nishan opened the batting alongside Lahiru Udara and managed six runs.
Kamil Mishara is expected to now open. He does appear to have been picked on white-ball form.
The good news is that they have unearthed Test class in middle-order batter Sonul Dinusha, who hit 100 and 84. Offie Keshara Nuwantha also impressed on debut.
Probable XI: Mishara, Lahiru Udara, Pasindu, Kamindu, Dhananjaya, Dinusha, Dickwella, Nuwantha, Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha
India are expected to be unchanged following the 165-run win in Galle. Dev Padikkal won the man of the match award for 167 and 44 to further reinforce the bias against bowlers.
The real star was spinner Manav Suthar, who claimed ten wickets in the match in only his second Test. A ridiculous call from the adjudicators when you consider how often the batting and bowling feats are achieved respectively.
Suthar looks like a player in the identikit mould of Ravi Jadeja at first glance but he could progress to become a more dangerous bowler.
Probable XI: Jaiswal, Rahul, Padikkal, Gill, Pant, Jurel, Jadeja, Suthar, Siraj, Kuldeep, Prasidh
Sri Lanka v India second Test pitch report
Three Tests in the last four years is not a huge study sample for the SSC. But there is an apparent trend, with the favourite duffing up the outsider in each of them. Pakistan won by an innings in 2023, Sri Lanka by ten wickets against Afghanistan in 2024 and, last year the hosts beat Bangladesh by an innings.
Both of the Sri Lankan wins were constructed by five-wicket hauls for Prabath Jayasuriya in the second innings, suggesting this is a wicket which will deteriorate. Against Pakistan, Sri Lanka lost four wickets to Abrar Ahmed's spin in the first- and seven to Noman Ali's in the second-innings.
The best plays for the match may have to wait for the second half, particularly the third innings. Extreme unders are the play. With likely runs lines at about 205.5 for the hosts and 240 for India (if we're right about the state of the wicket), going against both with a partnership is the way to go. Wickets could well fall in clusters and cheap lays at the extremes is the strategy.
Sri Lanka v India second Test match predictions
If there is to be an upset, Sri Lanka are surely going to have to bat first, bust 300 and then hope that they can get their spinners into the game on a wearing surface.
A trade on the hosts may be the only option as far as the match odds are concerned with that notable caveat, particularly as India are short-priced at 1.444/9 on the Betfair Exchange. Trying to pinch a couple of points on the hosts may make sense.
From 6.6011/2 a shift to 4.003/1 stands or falls on whether they can stick at it in the face of India's spin attack. It may require a middle-order rescue job starting from Kamindu Mendis. We have grave doubts about the home team's top three.
Sri Lanka v India second Test player tips
To that end, Kamindu has little to beat for top bat at 10/34.33 for top Sri Lanka bat. It could be argued he is in the win zone. Likewise Dhanajaya de Silva at 9/25.50. We do note the prospect of a late-order win here, though.
We don't expect Milan Rathnayake to play but the 40s is too big. Money back if he doesn't play. Dinusha is 11/26.50. For India, Shubman Gill would be our favourite for top India bat so the 4/15.00 has plenty of appeal.
Back Kamindu Mendis top 1st inns SL bat
Back Shubman Gill top india 1st inns bat