India out for series record win

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli’s India have Sri Lanka in the firing line again as they seek a record equalling ninth straight series win when the third Test starts tomorrow.

Already leading 1-0 in the three-match challenge, victory in the New Delhi Test would cap a dominant year and equal Australia’s record of nine successive series victories from 2005 to 2008.

As they build up the strength of their pace attack, India could break the record in South Africa where they arrive in January.

It was a 2015 tour of Sri Lanka that started India’s victory march that moved to eight series when they whitewashed the Sri Lankans on home territory in August.

India crushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 239 runs in the second Test in Nagpur on Monday.

They have laid out fast-paced pitches to prepare for their next tour.

Kohli said his team need to be ready for a tougher challenge in South Africa. “That’s why we asked for pitches with help for the fast bowlers.

“There’s not enough time in between to prepare so we have to use the time we have now for a big tour coming up.”

India’s pace power has grown with the successful return of Ishant Sharma, who took five wickets in the second Test that was otherwise dominated by India’s spinners.

The 1.95 metre (6ft 5in) Sharma replaced Bhuvneshwar Kumar who in turn destroyed the Sri Lankan batting in the opening Test on a green Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata.

Umesh Sharma seems the only weak link in the pace attack and Mohammed Shami, who sat out the second Test match, is expected to make his way back into the team.

“I think they have evolved immensely,” said Rohit Sharma, who will lead India in the three one-day matches against Sri Lanka when Kohli is rested.