Wicket set for India-Sri Lanka Test of pace

NAGPUR, India: A green tinge across the wicket when the second Test between India and Sri Lanka starts on Friday (today) indicates a fast-paced challenge, with India captain Virat Kohli looking ahead to overseas tours.

Bowling tracks in India traditionally help spinners but in the opening drawn Test in Kolkata fast bowlers took centre-stage.Bhuvneshwar Kumar led an inspired Indian pace attack that took all of the 17 Sri Lankan wickets that fell during the game.

The pitches in Nagpur and Delhi are also expected to help seamers as the world’s top Test team prepares to tour South Africa starting in January.India prepared a spinner’s paradise at Nagpur’s Jamtha ground when the hosts packed off South Africa inside three days in 2015. The pitch was rated “poor” by the ICC.

However reports say the grass on the Nagpur wicket pitch is expected to remain for the five-day game against Sri Lanka.With Kumar pulling out of the remaining two Tests because of his upcoming marriage, Ishant Sharma is expected to take up the role of the third seamer.

Sri Lanka also have a strong pace attack led by Suranga Lakmal, who returned impressive figures of 7-119 at Eden Gardens.Lakmal, Dasun Shanaka and Lahiru Gamage shared the spoils while bowling out India for 172 in the first innings of the opening Test.Sri Lanka, who have never won a Test in India, have put up a much improved showing since their 9-0 whitewash against India across all three formats earlier this year.