The second Test between Sri Lanka and India is scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 23, at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo. India head into the match with a 1-0 series lead after a convincing win in the first Test at the Galle International Stadium.
The SSC surface is expected to offer good batting conditions with little grass cover, meaning bowlers will need to be patient and disciplined. As the match moves into its later stages, spinners are likely to become increasingly influential on the surface. Pacers will have to make the new ball count, as once the ball gets softer, it will be very difficult for them to make inroads.
Top 3 bowlers to watch out for in SL vs IND 2nd Test
3. Saransh Jain
Off-spinner Saransh Jain is in contention to make his Test debut in Colombo. The 33-year-old Madhya Pradesh all-rounder has accumulated 188 first-class wickets in 54 matches and could replace Kuldeep Yadav in India’s playing XI.
Jain’s off-spin would add variety to an attack that already includes two left-arm spinners in Suthar and Jadeja. His style of bowling could be particularly effective against the left-handed batters in Sri Lanka’s middle order, and any assistance from the Colombo surface would make him a difficult proposition to handle.