The Indian Team are clashing against Sri Lanka in the second of the two-game Test series at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The first game saw the visitors recording a huge 165-run win over their counterparts to go up 1-0 in the series.
Considering their World Test Championships 2027 Final qualification scenario, the series holds great significance and the Shubman Gill-led side would aim to extend their dominance in Colombo as well. The game saw guest skipper Gill win the toss and let his men put the score on the board first.
During the toss, Gill talked about various aspects, including the pitch. Pointing out the difference between SSC’s pitch and that of Galle, he said, ‘It looks like a much harder, much better surface compared to Galle. Galle was also a very good wicket, but I think as the game went on, it got a little bit slower and the ball started to turn. We’re expecting the same, but I think for the first two or three days, I think it’ll be a really good wicket to bat on.’
Not only this, but the batter also rated the Galle win, giving it a nine. Gill said that there is a scope of improvement, while also pointing out that it is nearly impossible to have a perfect game. However, Gill believes that there are a few areas where the guests could have performed better.
‘I would say probably a nine, because there’s always room for improvement, and I think we played a pretty good match, a decent match. And obviously there were some areas where we could have got a little bit better, but, you know, this is Test cricket. It’s very, very difficult to be able to have a near-perfect game because you’re playing for five days, and to play that dominant and consistent cricket, especially in Test, is hard. But I think overall we had a pretty good match,’ Gill stated.
Why is Kuldeep Yadav Not Playing in Second Test Against Sri Lanka?
During the toss, Shubman Gill revealed that Yadav would not feature in the second Test against Sri Lanka. The batter revealed that the veteran spinner is suffering from a few infections and wouldn’t take on the field on Sunday. However, Saransh Jain was handed his debut instead. Jain was handed his debut cap by star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja. ‘Kuldeep, unfortunately, had some infections, so he misses out, and Saransh makes his debut for India,’ the 26-year-old said.
Later, the BCCI also released an official update about Yadav suggesting that the bowler couldn’t recover from his viral illness. Hence, he wasn’t available for selection for the Playing XI, but could take on the field as a concussion substitute in necessity. Notably, Yadav didn’t engage in any training session since arriving from Galle. While the team engaged in full sessions, the wrist-spinner was asked to rest.
Here’s how India’s Playing XI looked like for Second Test-
Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Saransh Jain, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna