Vaibhav Tripathi, Galle
Two days of Test cricket have already seen the loss of at least 64 overs and valuable playing time, as the first Test between India and Sri Lanka has been a rain-marred affair so far.
On the first day, the rain gods made a short appearance, which still took an hour and a half out of the day’s action. By the end of the first day, India were on top, thanks to a 100-plus-run partnership between Devdutt Padikkal and KL Rahul. The former scored his maiden international hundred on his comeback, while the latter made a fifty.
On Day 2, Sri Lanka roared back by taking seven wickets on a fast-moving day, as India managed to get past 450 with one wicket left. Only 43 overs of play were possible due to persistent rain right from the start of Day 2. It continued until 2:20 pm, before play resumed at 2:35 pm. Once again, a lot of overs were lost. Sri Lanka made up for it by picking up wickets at regular intervals.
Spin has come into great effect in the game. Famously known as the King of Galle, Prabath Jayasuriya has taken four wickets so far, while debutant Keshara Nuwantha has also been brilliant with his three-wicket haul. It was the day of the spinners. Good bowling, coupled with questionable shot selection, resulted in seven wickets.
India must have targeted a first-innings total of 550-plus, but the chances of that happening with Kuldeep Yadav and Prasidh Krishna at the crease look bleak. Day 3 will begin with the question of whether India will continue to bat with only one wicket left or declare before play starts.
Given how many overs have been lost and the forecast for Day 3, Team India will want to give themselves the best chance of taking 20 wickets — bowling Sri Lanka out twice and clinching the match before the rain gods can have their say on the outcome of the game.
The way the pitch played on Day 2 will excite the spinners, as not only is the wicket offering sharp turn, but there are also more footmarks around the bowlers’ landing areas on both sides of the square. For India, when they come out to bowl, the hard new ball will be key. Sri Lanka made the most of the second new ball, and India will have to take a cue from them in order to bowl the hosts out early.
Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna will have the onus of making the new ball talk and getting early wickets. Even if they are unable to take wickets, it will be important not to give away easy runs to the Sri Lankan batters. Once spin comes into play, which is likely to happen very early in the day, the new Kookaburra ball with its more pronounced seam could help the finger spinners weave a trap around the Sri Lankan batters.
Again, the weather will decide how many overs of play take place on Day 3, which could determine which way the match is heading.
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