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Sri Lankan grounds are traditionally known for their spin friedly natures. The previous Test between India and Sri Lanka was also mostly defined by the spinners of both teams. The pitch in Galle was a spin-friendly track, but not a typical rank turner where batters struggle to match their footwork with massive turns. As India takes a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, will Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) arrange a classic dusty deck to shackle the Indian batters?
While possibilities to see a rank turner are increasing gradually, a Sri Lanka Cricket official shared updates on the possible nature of the wicket for the India vs Sri Lanka second and series-deciding Test match. The match will start on August 23, with a couple of days in hand; the nature of the pitch is actually kept under cover, but a balanced pitch is possible.
Both bowlers and batters got room to show their class in the India vs Sri Lanka 1st Test match in Galle
The Galle Test is mostly dominated by the spinners. But the batters like Devdutt Padikkal, KL Rahul, Sonal Dinusha, and Niroshan Dickwella showed that with proper technique and composure, playing long-standing innings was possible.
Before lunch on Day 5 of the first Test, when the ball was rough and the wicket was dry, the spin rate decreased visibly. As there was very little spin from the deck, the emerging Indian spinner, Manav Suthar, who took 10 wickets in the match, cut the tail of the Sri Lankan batting order by mixing up his pace. Instead of depending only on the spin, the spinner increased his pace a bit to trick the batter.
The India vs Sri Lanka 2nd match pitch in Colombo can be similar to the Galle pitch
Ahead of the second Test match, an SLC official informed the news agency PTI that they are looking to present a well-balanced pitch like the Galle pitch where both batters and bowlers could show their skills.
As the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team has multiple quality batters like Dinesh Chandimal, Pathum Nissanka, and Kusal Mendis, the cricket board does not want to completely dilute the batters' chances to score runs by producing a dustbowl.
“At this moment, the thinking is for a well-balanced pitch like the one you saw at Galle. Sri Lanka are also without some experienced players like Chandi (Dinesh Chandimal), Kusal (Mendis) and (Pathum) Nissanka. So, we need to give our young batters a chance also,” a SLC official told PTI.
A rank turner is also possible in the Colombo Test
The official also clarified that all the surfaces of the pitch depend on the requirement of the pitch. If the team feels confident to play on a rank turner, then SLC will prepare a rank turner in Colombo so that the home team could have a slight advantage over the Indian cricket team.
“Of course, it all depends on what the team finally wants for the match, you know, something that gives them the best chance to win and draw the series,” the official added.
