The three-Test series is on a razor's edge — at stake is the No. 1 ranking in Tests. Indeed, sparks could fly in the second Micromax Test between India and Sri Lanka, beginning here at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ground on Monday.
Both Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Kumar Sangakkara said the pressures of the ICC top spot would not impact cricket from their teams. Time will tell.
The No. 1 crown is precious. India will seek to stay at the acme while Sri Lanka needs a 2-0 victory in the three-Test series to displace the incumbent. The Test at the SSC could be pivotal with the host leading 1-0.
India has an injury concern with opener Gautam Gambhir suffering a niggle in his right knee. The team-management will wait till the morning of the match before taking a call on Gambhir.
Indian team manager Ranjib Biswal told The Hindu that Gambhir might have to undergo a fitness test before the Test. “There will be no decision on him today,” he added.
The left-handed opener had a disastrous outing in the first Test. However, Lasith Malinga, Gambhir's nemesis at Galle, is out of the match here.
Chance for Murali
If Gambhir does not recover in time, Murali Vijay will come in. Vijay, who works hard on his technique, has earlier contributed usefully during stressful situations in Test cricket.
The surface at the SSC still sports some grass although curator Anirudha Polonwita insists much of it will be chopped off before the start.
Even if grass does not stay on the surface, the pitch here could offer a measure of assistance to the pacemen in terms of bounce and seam movement. This looks a harder track.
While the SSC, over the years, has favoured the batsmen, there has always been something in the pitch for the pacemen.
Will India play a third paceman in Munaf Patel? The chances are that Sri Lanka will opt to bat if it wins the toss. If India makes up its mind on fielding first, a third paceman comes into the picture.
Ishant Sharma, finally, appeared to have found some form on the third day at Galle while the lively Abhimanyu Mithun impressed with his inward movement. Munaf, a hit-the-deck bowler, could add weight to the attack.
Touch decision
Yet, this will be a tough decision. Going with a lone specialist spinner could hurt India if the pacemen do not achieve early breakthroughs. And the Indians might suffer in the second half of the Test without a second spinner.
But then, left-armer Pragyan Ojha hardly made an impression in the first Test. His confidence could be in his boots.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra might be a more viable alternative. If there is some bounce in the track, a leg-spinner could exploit the factor better.
Harbhajan Singh, now fully recovered from a viral fever, should be in a better mental and physical condition to bowl. The off-spinner could relish the bounce but carries enormous responsibility on his shoulders as the spin spearhead.
The Indian batsmen will breathe easy, not having to contend with the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan and fiery slinger Malinga; the two took 15 wickets between them at Galle.
Pacey Fernando
Dilhara Fernando — the front-runner to replace Malinga — might not be a poor replacement though. Fernando is pacey and can hit the seam.
Dammika Prasad, another paceman not lacking in speed, and exciting newcomer Nuwan Pradeep are also in the fray.
Will the selectors and the team-management spring a surprise by picking Pradeep? He, from all accounts, is someone whose style is similar to that of Malinga's.
Ajantha Mendis will assume the role of the strike spinner after Muralitharan's departure. Mendis versus the Indian batsmen will be a key duel in the Test.
The host could play Suraj Randiv as the second spinner in place of left-arm-spinner Rangana Herath. Randiv, an attacking off-spinner, might be better suited to don Muralitharan's role. Herath is more of the steady kind.
And the smooth-stroking Mahela Jayawardene might prove a daunting barrier for the Indian bowlers at his favourite venue. In the last six years, Mahela has notched up four Test centuries, including a triple hundred, and two nineties at the SSC.
The teams (from): India: M.S. Dhoni (captain), V. Sehwag, G. Gambhir, R. Dravid, S. Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, Y. Singh, H. Singh, M. Patel, I. Sharma, A. Mithun, M. Vijay, A. Mishra, P. Ojha, S. Raina, W. Saha.
Sri Lanka: K. Sangakkara (captain), T. Dilshan, T. Paranavitana, M. Jayawardene, T. Samaraweera, A. Matthews, P. Jayawardene, R. Herath, A. Mendis, D. Fernando, C. Welegedera, N. Pradeep, T. Kandamby, D. Prasad, S. Randiv, L. Thirimanne.
Match starts at 10. a.m. (IST).
