SL vs IND: 3 areas of concern for India ahead of Sri Lanka Test series

The SL vs IND Test series will begin on August 15 (Saturday) at Galle International Cricket Stadium.

India are on a tour of Sri Lanka for a Test series for the first time since 2017. India enjoy a dominant record against their neighbours, and they have not lost a Test series since 2008.

The Test series is scheduled to begin on August 15, while the second game will start from August 23. Despite the recent struggles in red-ball cricket, India enter the series as favourites.

They are expected to do well and win the series. But they can’t take Sri Lanka lightly, especially in their own conditions and that too when India are struggling in some areas. Below, we will highlight three concerning areas for India heading into the SL vs IND Test series.

Concerns for India ahead of the SL vs IND Tests

1. Inexperienced bowling unit

Jasprit Bumrah is currently the No. 1 ranked bowler in Test cricket. His absence will be a massive blow for the Men in Blue. Bumrah has established himself as India’s premier all-format bowler, and his availability puts pressure on the opposition.

With that, India will also miss Washington Sundar, who has been reliable in these slow conditions. India have other options with Mohammed Siraj, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav. But they can’t depend on three bowlers to take 20 wickets.

India need to find the right combination to go with. Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, and Saransh Jain have not played much in Sri Lanka, and it will be a challenge for the visitors.

2. Unsettled middle order

Since the retirement of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India have tried various batters in the middle order. Now Sai Sudharsan’s injury has also hurt the batting combination. Devdutt Padikkal and Sarfaraz Khan are not the first-choice middle-order batters for India.

Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel have been a little below par in recent assignments. India had the luxury of Ravindra Jadeja and Sundar in the lower middle order.

Both all-rounders have bailed India out of pressure situations many times. The injuries to Sudharsan and Sundar will force India to change their combination.

The pressure will be particularly on the Indian middle order, as these batsmen will have to face Sri Lankan spinners; moreover, records indicate that batting in Sri Lanka becomes one of the toughest challenges once the ball gets old. That is where India need to execute their plans well.

3. Over experimentation & conditions

There is no doubt that India will be without their first-choice squad. More than half of the players in the current squad have not played an international game on Sri Lankan soil. That is where it will be important for these players to adapt to the conditions as quickly as possible.

If that does not happen, there is a chance Sri Lanka could outperform India in home conditions. That is where the team and the management need to assess the conditions and plan well. Notably, India’s recent UK tour and decline in red-ball cricket have already raised questions on Gautam Gambhir and Co.

Additionally, India’s habit of experimentation has cost them important matches at times. India have a good record against Sri Lanka, and they will be keen to win the series to improve their recent stats and stay in the race for the WTC final.

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