India v Sri Lanka, 2nd Test: India Predicted XI

When the Sri Lankan arrived in India for the reverse fixtures about a fortnight ago, not many gave them a sniff in the series. They were drubbed in all the three formats of the game when the Indian team had toured Sri Lanka recently. Hence, the tag of underdogs was not surprising for the Lankan lions. However, with the way they stunned the Virat Kohli-side on the first couple of days of the Kolkata Test, things now stand somewhat in a balanced state.

The visitors managed to bundle out the mighty Indian batting for a score under 200 in the first innings and then managed to take a lead as well. For the hosts, the team would take pride in the fact that they justified their number one ranking position by turning the tables on the final day. Team India had almost sealed the game with 7 wickets of the opposition in the final hours of play.

Had there not been the bad light interruption, the scoreline would have been 1-0 in India’s favor. In any case, the action now moves to Nagpur for the second Test. The hosts would be keen to draw first blood. Two of their key players have been released from the squad. Hence, they will need to reform the group for the second Test.

Here is the India Predicted XI for the Nagpur Test:

Openers (Murali Vijay, KL Rahul)

KL Rahul was stunned by Suranga Lakmal’s pace and swing on the very first ball of the Kolkata Test. He had to walk back to the pavilion for a golden duck. He managed to cover up for it in the second innings though. The Karnataka lad scored a well timed fifty in the second innings to set up a firm base for the Indian total.

Rahul will be joined by Murali Vijay. Vijay is a seasoned opening batsman and has arguably been the most consistent opener for team India in the longest format of the game. It was surprising to see him being benched in the first Test. Now that Shikhar Dhawan is not going to be a part of the Nagpur Test, Vijay will get his chance.

Middle-Order (Chesteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane)

Team India boasts of a very strong middle order. It will not be wrong to quote that the middle-order has been the backbone of the team in the recent seasons. Cheteshwar Pujara showed why he is the best Test batsman in the longest format in India by holding the fort almost singlehandedly in the first innings of the Kolkata Test.

Skipper Virat Kohli announced himself back in form with a thundering ton in the second innings. His ton set up the tone for the final hours of play in the match as the audiences got engrossed in the game assuming there could be a serious match on the cards.

Ajinkya Rahane was the solitary failure in the Indian middle-order in the first Test. The Mumbai lad is experienced enough to bounce back and announce himself back in form in the Nagpur Test. Rahane will be hoping to score big runs and get back in form as soon as possible since the South African tour is around the corner as well.

Wicket-keeper (Wriddhiman Saha)

Wriddhiman Saha is set in the role of the wicketkeeper in the Indian team Test setup. He will retain his place in the side and would want to put up an improved show in the second Test. Saha had twin failures with the bat in the Kolkata game. Also, he did not have any moment of brilliance behind the stumps to boast about in that match.

Spinners (Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja)

The team India Test spin twins, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, had very little to do in the first Test. The track at Kolkata was a green surface and there was little on offer for the Indian spinners. At Nagpur, expect a similar track to be at the disposal.

Despite this, both Ashwin and Jadeja are likely to retain their places in the side. A good choice, however, could be drafting in Vijay Shankar at the expense of Jadeja. Vijay Shankar bowls medium pace and could be a better deal than Jadeja on the surface. However, the experience of Jadeja could work in his favor.

Fast bowlers (Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma)

In the fast bowling department, the team is certain to see a change. The in-form bowler who had the opposition dancing to his tunes in the first game, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, is not in the squad for the match. Hence, the team is likely to go for a pace bowling replacement and Ishant Sharma could be the beneficiary in the case.

Unless the team springs a surprise by drafting in Vijay Shankar or Rohit Sharma, Ishant’s inclusion seems like the most logical one. The other two pacers in the side look settled in their roles. Mohammad Shami was at his fiery best in the previous game.

Shami and Bhuvi had wreaked havoc with the ball in the second innings and were the pick of the Indian bowlers. Umesh Yadav was slightly on the expensive side. He will want to improve on that note.