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The 2 test match series between India and Sri Lanka is going to start from Saturday (15 August). The first Test will be played in Galle, while the second Test has been hosted by the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo. This series is part of the current cycle of the World Test Championship (WTC). India is at fifth position in the points table. Whereas Sri Lanka is at number six. In such a situation, this series is very important for both the teams.

Team India could not reach the final of the last WTC. If this time also the team does not qualify for the title match, then the post of head coach Gautam Gambhir may be in danger. It has not been long since Shubman Gill became the captain. In such a situation, his captaincy will not be affected but he would like the team to be in the race for the finals by making a clean sweep in Sri Lanka. To reach the finals, India needs to win at least 7 out of its remaining 9 tests.

Prabhat Jayasuriya can spoil the game

The Indian team has been practicing vigorously since reaching Sri Lanka. They defeated Sri Lanka Cricket XI by 6 wickets in the only warm-up match. Even after this match, Team India is continuously sweating. In a way, all the preparations are being done to deal with the spin attack of Sri Lanka, which is commanded by Prabhat Jayasuriya.

Left arm spinner Prabhat can destroy the batting order of any team on home soil. This 34 year old bowler has taken 125 wickets in 23 test matches so far. He has taken 5 wicket hauls 12 times in Test cricket. He also has two 10 wicket hauls in his name. So far he has played 14 test matches in Sri Lanka, in which he has taken 96 wickets. That means he takes about 7 wickets in every home test.

Can wreak havoc in Gaul

The pitch of Galle International Stadium has always been helpful to spinners. This time too it is believed that the pitch will remain a rank turner, on which Prabhat and Ramesh Mendis can wreak havoc. In the 21 Test matches played in Sri Lanka since 2021, spinners have taken 75 percent of the wickets. During this period, Prabhat Jayasuriya has taken 96 wickets, while off-spinner Ramesh Mendis has taken 70 wickets. 31 year old Ramesh has played 16 test matches so far and has taken a total of 71 wickets.

How do Indian batsmen play spin?

Apart from Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, no one in the batting order of Team India has a satisfactory record against spin. KL Rahul has scored 956 runs against spin bowlers at an average of 43.5. During this period he has lost his wicket 13 times. Captain Shubman Gill has become the victim of left arm spinners 11 times. They will have to be especially careful of Prabhat.

Gill has a good record against off spinners. He has batted against off-spinners at an average of 61.1. Yashasvi Jaiswal has an average of 73 and strike rate of 86 against spin. Pant has scored 802 runs against spin at a strike rate of 99, which includes 33 sixes. During this period he has been out 13 times.