Sri Lanka vs West Indies 2021, 2nd Test: Match Preview, Playing XI and broadcast details

Dimuth Karunaratne’s brilliance with the bat and the guile of the spinners helped Sri Lanka thrash the West Indies in the 1st Test by a margin of 187 runs. While Karunaratne scored a superb 147 in the first innings, the Sri Lankan skipper followed that up with a superb 83 in the second essay.

And then, came the spinners who spun their unplayable web around the opposition. Praveen Jayawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, and Lasith Embuldeniya combined to scalp a whopping 18 wickets in the match to gobble up the West Indian batting lineup.

And, Sri Lanka will surely be confident heading into the 2nd Test. Apart from Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva and veteran Angelo Mathews contributed useful runs as well. So, if you are in the Sri Lankan camp, then you will have plenty to smile about.

On the other hand, the West Indies will enter this match under a lot of pressure. Their batting unit failed in both innings, and the batters were found wanting against the Sri Lankan spinners. In fact, such was the sad state of affairs for the West Indies that not even a single batter could score a half-century in the first innings.

In the second innings, the visitors were reduced to 18/6, and if not for the face-saving partnership of 100 runs between Nkrumah Bonner and Joshua Da Silva, the West Indies would have further sunk into the deep waters.

The West Indies will be hoping that their batsmen rise to the occasion in a must-win Test match. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be looking to whitewash their opponents and sweep the series 2-0.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at Galle will favour the spinners. The ball will grip and turn, and the batters will have to bide their time on this wicket.

Playing Combinations for SL vs WI

Sri Lanka

Charith Asalanka might make his Test debut for the Sri Lankan side and might replace pacer Dushmantha Chameera in the playing XI. The rest of the lineup will remain the same.

Predicted XI: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Charith Asalanka, Ramesh Mendis, Lasith Embuldeniya, Suranga Lakmal, Praveen Jayawickrama.

West Indies

Shai Hope might continue in the playing XI if Jeremy Solonazo does not recover in time for the match. The rest of the line-up will stay the same.

Predicted XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (C), Jeremy Solozano/Shai Hope, Nkrumah Bonner, Roston Chase, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Rahkeem Cornwall, Jason Holder, Joshua da Silva (wk), Shannon Gabriel, Jomel Warrican

SL vs WI Head-to-Head

Overall

Played – 23 | SL – 10 | WI – 4 | Draw – 9

In Sri Lanka

Played – 12 | SL – 8 | WI – 0 | Draw – 4

SL vs WI Broadcast Details

Match Timings – 10:00 AM Local

TV and Live Streaming– Fancode