After what turned into an exciting draw in Kolkata last week, India and Sri Lanka continue their Test series in Nagpur on Friday. With just one match to come after this one both sides head into it knowing the winner will be guaranteed a share of the series.
The first match was rain affected but with the weather set fair here we are due for a conclusion to this second match so there is everything on the line in what should be an intriguing match given the twists and turns of the first game.
India
I mentioned prior to the first match how this series is not the main focus of attention for the Indians and I think we saw that at times in that contest but when push came to shove their competitive instincts kicked in and they so very nearly pulled off an unlikely victory. They are a proud side who will not want to lose their unbeaten record.
There is no doubt India are trying to prepare for what they will face in South Africa later in the year and as such we are unlikely to see them playing what you would call traditional Indian cricket. They have a few absences in their side too which is likely to change the dynamic of their play and how the match plays out.
Sri Lanka
Helped by conditions, Sri Lanka were much more competitive in the first Test than many people expected. They won a very good toss and took full advantage of it. Ordinarily that would have given them a lot of confidence but they fact the tables turned so dramatically and they found themselves hanging on at the end may negate that.
The positive thing for the Sri Lankans was that their seamers made a good impression. It looks like the series is going to be played on tracks that benefit the seamers initially so if their attack can deliver that will be good. What they now need is for their batting line up to find some confidence and produce the results too.
Team News
Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will be missing in this match. Dhawan has personal issues to deal with and Kumar is getting married. Murali Vijay will come through to open in the absence of Dhawan. Ishant Sharma could be a like for like replacement for Kumar.
Sri Lanka may not make an awful lot of changes but having seen how well their attack went in Kolkata and with the wicket likely to be a result one they may choose to go in with an extra batsman to give themselves the best chance of winning.
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium
There have been five previous Test matches on this Nagpur track. India have three wins from those five but they have lost to South Africa here. There has also been a draw. Sri Lanka will be playing Test cricket here for the first time.
This is not a high scoring ground historically. It is usually a track that has favoured the spinners and with India preparing for South Africa we can expect the bowlers to have the upper hand in this match as well.
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Betting
I think this will be a more interesting match than many expected before the series began. Had it not been for them having to cling on in the end at Kolkata I might have chanced Sri Lanka here. India are clearly looking at what is to come which is a dangerous ploy but despite having everything in their favour Sri Lanka were hanging on in the end.
Given that I will go with a player performance which is Ravi Ashwin. He took seven wickets in an innings here in the last Test on this ground and while there will be something in it for the seamers with no Kumar there should still be plenty of action for Ashwin.
His line is 150.5 which is a high line but we’ve got to remember he will get rid of a portion of that with the bat. If it seams it will spin and the longer the sun burns down on the wicket the more spin will come into play. I think Ashwin covers.
Tips
WON – Back R.Ashwin’s Performance – Over 150.5pts for a 4/10 stake at 2.10 with Bet365
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