The two-Test series is extremely crucial for both teams as they aim to climb in the WTC standings.
The series is extremely crucial for both teams as they aim to climb from the bottom half in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 standings.
While India’s recent trouble against spin is well documented, Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva does not believe Shubman Gill’s men have forgotten how to bat on turning tracks. In fact, he expects the visitors to prove a point after recent setbacks at home.
“Well, India did lose two series (against New Zealand and South Africa) in India on turning wickets, but it’s not that they have forgotten how to play on turning wickets. They’ll surely be itching to make a comeback,” De Silva told TOI ahead of the first Test in Galle on Saturday.
Sri Lanka aims to extend the match into the fourth and fifth days so their spinners can dictate play and put India under pressure.
“International cricket is not easy. If we can take the games to the fourth and fifth day, we will have a greater chance to beat them,” De Silva said. “I hope we make it as hard as possible for them and they are under the pump during the series.”
For the India series, Dhananjaya de Silva expects humid, rain-affected sporting tracks that favor batters early before turning.
“Normally, we get spinning wickets in Sri Lanka. But currently, it’s raining here and weather conditions are not going to be dry,” the Lankan skipper stated.
“We have a strong batting lineup as well, so I feel pitches will be sporting — helping batters in the first 2-3 days and then start turning. Spinners are going to be our primary line of attack. But, that said, we’ve some quality seamers in our team who can change the game,” he added.
According to De Silva, the hardest challenge is not surviving the initial spin spell, but adapting the moment the pitch starts to alter its behavior.
“The difference is that it’s quite hard to get runs over here and the batters really need to dig in and show temperament to score sizeable number of runs,” De Silva said.
That, he feels, is where Sri Lanka hold an edge. “We know how to approach our innings. We know when it’s going to start turning. Several batters become clueless when it turns and don’t know how to go about a knock in these conditions.”
Prabath Jayasuriya represents Sri Lanka's primary tactical advantage at Galle due to his prolific track record at the venue.
“Stats-wise, we have the upper hand. Prabath has played more matches than any other guys in the two teams, especially in Galle,” De Silva said. “He has had the upper hand over many touring batting lineups over the years. Plus-one to Sri Lanka, I would say.”
The absence of Jasprit Bumrah is a significant blow to India's bowling attack, but the Sri Lankan captain refused to underestimate the touring side, acknowledging that the squad still possesses multiple world-class match-winners
“Even if India are missing some of their key players, I’m not going to take them lightly. They have several match-winners in their team. He (Bumrah) will be a big loss for India,” De Silva said. “But we’ve done our homework for others and we’re well prepared for them.”
De Silva singled out KL Rahul as the biggest threat for his team. “I would say experience-wise KL Rahul would be the biggest threat for us. He has done well all around the world and he has played a few matches in Sri Lanka as well. Last time (in 2017), I think he played in our conditions and knows it pretty well.”
(With TOI Inputs)