India face familiar opponents as they look for a win in Kolkata Test
Date and Time : 16-20 November 2017, 9:30 AM (IST)
Venue : Eden Gardens, Kolkata
It’s just been two months since India defeated Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka across all formats, In fact clean sweeping 9-0.
India has since then have been winning games at home versus Australia and New Zealand. While the Islanders albeit winning the Test series versus Pakistan were again humbled in limited overs.
It is needless to say that India are high on confidence whereas the Lankans are low on confidence. Sri Lanka will have to overcome mental barriers if they are to compete here in India.
India have been quite dominant when it comes to playing at home against Sri Lanka as the Islanders are chasing their first test win in India. They have to improve that record.
Team news and possible line-ups
As Kaushal Silva has been dropped from the Sri Lankan squad for this series, Sadeera Samarawickrama comes into the mix. He is a wicket-keeper batsman.
While Angelo Mathews comes in for Kusal Mendis. Sri lanka might be tempted to play three pacers as the pitch is green, so Vishwa Fernando and Gamage are likely to play.
As for India, Shikhar Dhawan will be replaced by Murali Vijay. While their is a chance seeing the wicket that Ishant Sharma might be considered.
Sri Lanka XI : Karunaratne, Samarawickrama, Thirimanne, Chandimal (C), Mathews, Dickwella (WK), D. Perera, Herath, Lakmal, Gamage, V. Fernando.
India XI : M. Vijay, L. Rahul, Pujara, Kohli (C), Rahane, Ashwin, W. Saha (WK), R. Jadeja, Shami, U. Yadav, I. Sharma.
Prediction
On current form I expect India to win convincingly.
