India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test: Match Preview, Playing XI and broadcast details

There will be a lot of frenzy and hype when India and Sri Lanka walk out on 4th March 2022 for the 1st Test between the two sides. And, all the attention and focus will be on one man. Virat Kohli will walk out for the 100th time in the whites for the Indian side and it will be a moment for him and his multitude of fans to treasure.

But then, there is also a Test match to be won for India. Rohit Sharma will take over the mantle of leading the side from Kohli, and will look to start his stint as India’s full-time Test captain with a win.

India will enter the series after thrashing the Sri Lankan side 3-0 in the recently concluded three-match T20I series on Indian soil. The 1-2 defeat to South Africa in the three-match Test series away from home seems distant now, as the ‘Men in Blue’ have lorded over West Indies and Sri Lanka in home territory.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka will enter the series with the hope of upsetting India on Indian soil. The visitors cut a sorry figure in the T20I series and were completely outplayed by their Indian counterparts. Yes, while both sides will look to win the Test, Virat Kohli will be the man in the limelight, as the master walks out for the 100th time in the Indian whites.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch in Mohali is one where the fast bowlers will get some help early on. The pitch will ease out as the match progresses, and the batters will need to bide their time. Spinners will also come into play as well.

Playing Combinations for IND vs SL

India

Skipper Rohit Sharma, milestone man Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Jasprit Bumrah pick themselves. Mayank Agarwal will open the batting with Sharma, while Shubman Gill is expected to bat at No.3. Hanuma Vihari will walk in at No.5, while Mohammed Shami and Siraj will be the other 2 fast bowlers alongside Bumrah.

Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka

For Sri Lanka, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Suranga Lakmal and Dushmantha Chameera are sure starters. The experienced Lahiru Thirimanne will walk in at No.3, while Dhananjaya De Silva and the hugely talented Charith Asalanka will occupy the No.5 and No.6 positions. The 2 spinners who will take the field are Lasith Embuldeniya and Praveen Jayawickrama.

Predicted XI: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Praveen Jayawickrama, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya, Dushmantha Chameera

India vs Sri Lanka Head-to-Head

Matches- 44, India – 20, Sri Lanka – 7 Draw – 17

India vs Sri Lanka Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 09:30 AM IST

TV – Star Sports Network

Live Streaming – Disney+Hotstar