Match Details

Date: 4 March 2022

Time: 9:00 AM IST

Venue: IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali

Ball-by-ball Commentary: SportsTiger App

Preview

After a one-sided T20 series, India and Sri Lanka go head to head in the Test series starting in Mohali which will be followed by a pink ball Test in Bengaluru. As this match marks the debut of Rohit Sharma as Test captain, the Indian team would want to continue their winning form. Whereas, Sri Lanka would want to show their worth and recent form in the longest format of the game. 

Pitch Report

The IS Bindra Stadium has often presented a green top in comparison with grounds across India. The pacers could make early inroads with swinging conditions alongside some form of bounce from the pitch. But for the spinners, the pitch would be ideal after the wear and tear of the first two to three days. Hence they literally turn the tables in the final days of the game.

Analysis:

The Indian team clinically dominated Sri Lanka in the three-game T20I series and could do the same in the Test series. Despite failing to register a win in the Test series against South Africa at the start of the year, India has bogarted their opponents at home.  The Men in Blue have a record of 41 wins out of 56 games in India which is the best record in Test cricket since 2010. 

The Test match is also special as it would be India batting Superstar Virat Kohli’s hundredth Test match. Whereas Sri Lanka, like India, has been on a run in Test cricket as they have been on a six-game unbeaten streak. In this period the Lankan Lions have played West Indies and Bangladesh before losing in four consecutive games against South Africa and England. 

Probable Playing XIs

India:

Rohit Sharma (c), Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Md. Shami, Jayant Yadav. 

Sri Lanka:

Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Kamil Mishara or Niroshan Dickwella, Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Dasun Shanaka (C), Chamika Karunaratne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Kumara, Praveen Jayawickrama, Binura Fernando.

Match Prediction

Conclusion:

India is already looking like the clear favourite to win this game with a superior home record and an experienced team. The Indian batters have been consistently performing while the bowling has made a case of being one of the greatest in the history of the sport. Hence, India will win this game and record its 21st victory over Sri Lanka. 

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