The second test between India and Sri Lanka has begun at Colombo, and India are batting first after winning the toss. Both openers, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, will be eager to give a good start to India, especially Jaiswal, who will be hungry for runs after a failure in the first test. Jaiswal has only scored 46 runs in two innings.
India is leading the two-match test series and will need to win this test to win the series and keep their chances alive in the WTC championship. Both teams had made a couple of changes: for India, Saransh Jain made his debut, replacing Kuldeep Yadav, who was down with a viral infection, and Sri Lanka called in Kamil Mishara in place of Nishan Madhushka, while the injured Dinesh Chandimal had to make way for Pasindu Sooriyabandara.
Lahiru Kumara Gets KL Rahul
Both openers got off to a decent start, but KL Rahul, the half-centurion from the first test, fell early as he nicked a short and wide ball from Lahiru Kumara straight to the keeper, Niroshan Dickwella. India lost the first wicket on the fourth ball of the 11th over. It was a good-length ball, and KL Rahul tried to cut it for a boundary, but unfortunately he found the edge. KL Rahul made 18 runs from 33 balls as he hit 2 fours and 1 six.
KL Rahul had no footwork as he got stuck on the crease and Sri Lanka rejoiced. Certainly, KL Rahul will be disappointed with that shot as he looked focused today. India has 37 runs on the board with one wicket lost in 10.4 overs.
Crucial Phase for India
Yasahasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal will have to bat through the first session so that India remain unscathed at Lunch. The wicket has even grass supporting the fast bowlers, and it is important to see the remaining overs and not rush through. Sri Lanka on the other hand would be aware of the fact that they have to bat last on this surface as they need to chip in wickets at regular intervals as India has a long batting line up.
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