AP, Galle :
An already tough year for the Sri Lankan cricket team is about to get more challenging as it hosts India for a three-test series.
The Sri Lankans were swept by South Africa in a three-test series before slumping to their first ever test defeat to Bangladesh.
A week ago, the Sri Lankans struggled to beat lowly-ranked Zimbabwe by four wickets in a one-off test after surrendering the five-match limited-overs series 3-2.
That’s far from an ideal preparation for a series against top-ranked India beginning Wednesday.
Both teams are below full strength, with newly-installed Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal ordered to rest after being discharged from a hospital on Sunday with a case of pneumonia. India opener Lokesh Rahul was left behind in Colombo to receive treatment for a viral flu and will miss the opening test.
Veteran spinner Rangana Herath will lead Sri Lanka in Chandimal’s absence while India was weighing up the options as to who will partner Abhinav Mukund in the absence of Rahul, who scored a pair of half centuries in his last test – the series-deciding win over Australia at Dharamsala in March.
Left-handed Shikhar Dhawan is the reserve opener, but India could push Cheteshwar Pujara up to open batting in a bid to play an additional bowler.
Chandimal’s absence for Sri Lanka could mean a test debut for opener Danushka Gunatilleke, although Dhananjaya de Silva could be in for a recall.
Allrounder Asela Gunaratne, who was receiving 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 10-wicket haul the last time India played here two years ago. India won that series 2-1 and Ashwin was voted player of the series after finishing with 21 wickets.
Ashwin goes into the series requiring 25 more wickets to reach 300 in test cricket, a milestone achieved by only four other Indians. While the tourists will heavily reply on the off-spinner, Sri Lanka will look to 39-year-old left-arm spinner Herath for its inspiration.
Herath, who is 16 wickets shy of reaching 400 in tests, has bowled with great control but whether he has got the guile to deceive the Indian batsmen, who play spin well, remains to be seen.
