KEY CLASHES

India will square off against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Galle and the clash of key players will be vital in the outcome of the series. Hindustan Times takes a look at the top five.

VIRAT KOHLI VS RANGANA HERATH

The Indian captain will hope to put the coach saga behind him and continue to enhance his awesome record against Sri Lanka. Kohli has got the most runs for India in Tests in the past year. But his counterpart Rangana Herath has been Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler in recent times; getting 11 wickets against Zimbabwe in Colombo Test. He tormented India with 7/48 in the Galle Test in what was Kohli’s first full series as skipper. With the added responsibility of captaincy, Herath will also be hoping to get the series off to a winning start.

R ASHWIN VS NIROSHAN DICKWELLA

Ravichandran Ashwin was in sublime form in the home season and his six-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in 2015 is not likely to be forgotten. In the last series, Ashwin ended 21 wickets and Sri Lanka will be wary of his variations. Niroshan Dickwella, who guided Sri Lanka to a record chase against Zimbabwe, will be a key to Sri Lanka’s middle order; However, Ashwin’s record against left-handed batsmen will be a major concern for the hosts.

ROHIT SHARMA VS LAHIRU KUMARA

Rohit Sharma put up a couple of good performances in the ICC Champions Trophy in June, including a knock of 78 against Sri Lanka and a century in the semi-final against Bangladesh. He also captained Mumbai Indians to their third Indian Premier League title. Lahiru Kumara’s inclusion in the squad is an indication that he will be one of Herath’s key bowlers against India. Kumara may be a 20-year-old but his five-wicket haul against Zimbabwe highlighted his pace and control, and he will be vital in unnerving Sharma & Co.

BHUVNESHWAR KUMAR VS KUSAL MENDIS

Kusal Mendis is one of the stars in the Sri Lankan batting. He is remembered for his knock of 176 against Australia that turned the series and recently, he led Sri Lanka to a Champions Trophy group match victory against India scoring 89 in the 159-run partnership with Danushka Gunathilaka. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been bowling consistently and has troubled the top order with swing. In previous series, he picked five wickets against West indies and New Zealand last year. Mendis was able to withstand Kumar’s fine spell with the ball in Champions Trophy outing, only to be undone by a run-out by the Indian bowler.

AJINKYA RAHANE VS NUWAN PRADEEP

Nuwan Pradeep’s ability to bowl at pace and swing the ball could trouble the top order batsmen. Ajinkya Rahane, who has been India’s consistent performer away from home, will be aiming to get some good performances in Sri Lanka, where he had a poor run in the 2015 series. The right-hander will look to avenge his low-scoring dismissals as they go face to face two years later.