Visit of India makes hard year tougher for Sri Lanka

A tough year for the Sri Lankan cricket team is about to get more challenging as they host India for a three-test series.

The Sri Lankans were swept aside by South Africa in a three-test series before slumping to their first Test defeat to Bangladesh. A week ago, they struggled to beat Zimbabwe by four wickets in a Test after surrendering a five-match limited-overs series 3-2.

That’s far from an ideal preparation for a series against top-ranked India beginning today.

Both teams are below full strength, with newlyinstalled Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal ordered to rest after being discharged from hospital with pneumonia. India opener Lokesh Rahul was left behind with viral flu.

Veteran spinner Rangana Herath will lead Sri Lanka, while India were weighing up the options as to who will partner Abhinav Mukund in the absence of Rahul, who scored a pair of half centuries against Australia in March.

Chandimal’s absence could mean a Test debut for opener Danushka Gunatilleke, although Dhananjaya de Silva could be in for a recall.

All-rounder Asela Gunaratne, who has had treatment for a hamstring injury is expected to play.

The Galle match will mark India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin’s 50th Test, and he has fond memories of the venue after taking a ten-wicket haul the last time India played here. India won that series 2-1 and Ashwin was player of the series with 21 wickets.

Ashwin goes into the series needing 25 wickets to reach 300 in Test cricket, a milestone reached by only four other Indians.

While the tourists will heavily reply on the offspinner, Sri Lanka will look to 39-year-old leftarm spinner Herath for their inspiration.

Despite their recent form, the Sri Lankans will take heart from their 3-0 win last year over Australia, who arrived in Sri Lanka as the world’s No 1-ranked team but struggled against the spin bowlers.