After a huge loss in the first Test match, Sri Lanka would be hoping to make a strong comeback in the pink-ball game. However, as a dent to their chances of winning, star players Pathum Nissanka and Dushmantha Chameera have been ruled out of the second match.
Nissanka has been struggling with back issues and Kusal Mendis or Dinesh Chandimal are expected to replace him in the team. The batsman had been in fine form and had scored an unbeaten 61 in the first innings of the Mohali Test match.
As for the lanky pacer, he had already missed the first Test due to injury and Sri Lanka were hopeful of having their speedster back for the second game. He was destructive during the T20I’s and had troubled the Indian batters on multiple occasions.
“The [Sri Lanka team] medical panel has told us that we have to manage his injury till the T20 World Cup, and that he should be used (only) for white-ball cricket,” Dimuth Karunaratne said on the eve of the second Test match. The captain was earlier hopeful of having his speedster back for the second Test after resting him in the first match.
The 30-year-old pacer is a very important part of the Sri Lankan limited overs set up and with the T20 World ahead, the management would want to keep their best bowler injury free. He is also scheduled to play in the IPL which commences on March 26. He was bought by the Lucknow Super Giants at a price of Rs 2 crore.
The second Test match is a pink ball Test scheduled to be played in Bengaluru. The match commences on March 12 and Sri Lanka would look to put up a better show this time around. For India, Axar Patel or Mohammad Siraj are likely to replace Jayant Yadav.