5 reasons why India cannot take Sri Lanka lightly 

The Indian Cricket Team, over the past few months, has been in a menacing form. They won all the series during their long home season and followed that up by emerging as the runners-up of the ICC Champions Trophy.

Soon later, they won the overseas ODI series against West Indies. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, suffered a group exit in the Champions Trophy, after which they were beaten by Zimbabwe in an ODI series earlier this month.

The two countries are all set to play three Tests, five ODIs and a solitary T20. The first Test will commence on July 26 at Galle.

Going into the tournament, India’s recent win records weigh the scales in their favour. However, cricket being an unexpected game, Sri Lanka can be dominating on their day.

Here are 5 reasons why an upbeat India should not write off the Islanders.

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#1 The threat of Rangana Herath

The finest spinner in the squad, Herath’s threat, more than anything else, stands between India and a series victory. The last time when India toured Sri Lanka, they lost the first of the three Test series at Galle.

A new-look Indian squad, led by new captain Virat Kohli, was dismissed for only 112 runs on Day 4 of the first Test in their chase of 176 runs. Herath was the wrecker-in-chief as he took seven wickets to cause India’s tragic collapse.

The spinner has taken 384 wickets for Sri Lanka in Tests, which is only second to Muralitharan who ended his career with 800. In the last four home series, he was awarded the man of the series in all. Herath’s form can be quite a threat to the Indian batsmen.

#2 Sri Lanka's performance under pressure against Zimbabwe

The confidence from this game will help Sri Lanka against India

After losing the ODI series, Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe by 4-wickets in the one-off Test at Colombo. The hosts completed the highest successful run chase at home as they chased down 388 in the 4th innings, with help from Niroshan Dickwella’s 81 and Asela Gunaratne’s unbeaten 80 to reach the target in the second session of the last day.

At one point, they were on the verge of losing when the scorecard read 203-5. But Dickwella and Gunaratne’s partnership of 121 runs for the sixth wicket helped Sri Lanka achieve the fifth highest run chase in the history of Test cricket.

Dickwella was dismissed when 64 runs were still needed, but Dilruwan Perera supported Gunaratne to take Sri Lanka over the line. Also. Rangana Herath picked up 11 wickets in that game.

The confidence from this game will help Sri Lanka against India.

#3 India’s inexperienced openers

Both Abhinav Mukund and Shikhar Dhawan haven't played much Test cricket

The Indian opening combination lacks match practice, both Abhinav Mukund and Shikhar Dhawan haven't played much Test cricket. Mukund, who made his debut in 2011 in India’s tour of West Indies for a 3-Test series, mustered only 147 runs but was given another chance to prove himself against England later that year.

However, he faltered again and was dropped. In March this year, he was recalled for the Border Gavaskar series, but again walked back on paltry scores. Neither does the Tamil Nadu opener have adequate Test experience, nor the talent.

Dhawan, on the other hand, has been drafted into the longest format on the back of exceptional recent ODI performances. But he hasn’t come out in whites since his last Test against New Zealand in October 2016, when he registered scores of 1 and 17.

#4 Sri Lanka’s good record at home

Dhananjaya de Silva scored 325 runs from six innings to lead from the front

Sri Lanka boast of a good Test record at home, the most recent case in point being Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2016 to play 5 ODIs, 3 Tests, 2 T20s from July 26 to September 09.

The hosts whitewashed the visitors 3-0 in the Test series. They won the first Test at Pallekele by 106 runs, the second one at Galle by 229 runs and the third one at Colombo by 163 runs. Dhananjaya de Silva scored 325 runs from six innings to lead from the front.

Herath spelt doom for Australia as he took 28 wickets in three Tests.

#5 India’s latest record on rank turners is average

Australia’s Steve O’Keefe took 12 wickets to rip through India's famed batting line-up

Remember the Pune debacle? India were the favourites going into the Border Gavaskar series, but were humiliated by a 333-run loss within three days in the opening Test at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium.

Indian spinners failed to use the pitch to their advantage. Australia’s Steve O’Keefe took 12 wickets to rip through India's famed batting line-up. Indian batters – considered good players of spin, faltered. KL Rahul was the only one to go beyond the score of 50 runs.

Before the Pune debacle, we saw similar stories in Mohali and Nagpur when South Africa toured India in 2015.