India vs Sri Lanka: 5 Lankan players to watch out for in the Test series

It’s been about 8 years since Sri Lanka last visited India for a full-fledged tour (or even a bilateral series). And a lot has changed since then, especially for Sri Lanka. Their greatest stalwarts have retired which has resulted in the team going into transition.

In September this year (after they were trounced 9-0 by India in all formats), the Lankans were under severe scrutiny due to their lacklustre performances. However, the 2-match Test series in the UAE against Pakistan changed everything. They managed to pull off something which no other team could – win a series in the UAE (they won 2-0).

Thus, with Sri Lanka high on confidence, India can expect a stiffer challenge than what they faced four months ago as the visiting Lankan team have managed to arrest the winless slide, at least in Test cricket.

With the 3-match Test series starting on the 16th of November at the Eden Gardens, we look at 5 Sri Lankan players to watch out for in the series.

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#5 Dilruwan Perera

The right-arm off-spinner endured a torrid series against India at home where he picked up only two wickets in the four innings he bowled in three Test matches. He was wayward, expensive and ineffective as the Indian batsmen plundered 380 runs in the 93 overs he bowled across the series.

But Sri Lanka persisted with him for the Pakistan series and it reaped rewards. He was outstanding with both the bat and ball. But it was his contributions with the ball that helped him and Sri Lanka. He returned with 12 wickets in two Tests at an average of 25.67. He looked in good rhythm, provided very good support to Rangana Herath and never released the pressure from his end.

With Sri Lanka playing 5 bowlers, it meant that Perera had to bat at No. 7 and he has responded very well. In fact, the year 2017 has been a decent one for the off-break bowler as far batting is concerned. He has scored 452 runs at an average of almost 35.

So, with Sri Lanka set to continue the 5-bowler theory, the extra responsibility of batting at No. 7 will continue for Perera in addition to the responsibility of doing the bulk of the bowling.

#4 Niroshan Dickwella

Dickwella has been in some very good form in the recent times

Niroshan Dickwella has been a revelation for Sri Lanka in 2017. In what has been a poor year for the Lankans, the 24-year old wicket-keeper has been the shining light for them. He has remained a constant figure in all three formats performing consistently.

Everyone was aware of the Dickwella’s exploits in the shorter formats, but he has come of age this year in red-ball cricket as well. In 8 Tests, he has scored 639 runs at a very good average of 42.60.

Even though he hasn’t had tall scores, he’s had a great impact in the middle-order. He’s often prevented a collapse and held the innings together. Also, the most satisfying part about his success has been that he’s scored runs in difficult circumstances and against quality attacks.

In the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, after scoring a stroke-filled 83 (career-best score), he scored a crucial 40 not out when wickets were falling around him. That innings of 40 helped Sri Lanka set Pakistan a target of 135 which proved to be match-winning.

He scored 196 runs in 2 Tests playing a major role in Sri Lanka’s 2-0 victory in the UAE. Thus, Dickwella is in some very good form and is one of the players to watch out for this series.

#3 Dimuth Karunaratne

Karunaratne will be a key player for Sri Lanka

Karunaratne has been Sri Lanka’s best Test batsman for more than a year now. This year he has scored 940 runs (which is the third-most this year) at an average of 47.

Sri Lanka were too prone to exposing their fragile middle-order early, but the 29-year old left-handed opener from Colombo has shown that there’s solidity at the top. He has the ability to bat for long hours and produce big scores.

He also seems to be improving every series. He has topped Sri Lanka’s batting charts, more often than not, in every series. In the last couple of series’ (against India at home and Pakistan in the UAE), he scored 285 and 306 runs in six and four innings respectively.

Especially his exploits against Pakistan went a long way in helping Sri Lanka win the series where he scored 93 and 196 in the first innings of the two Tests. He often had the tendency to fail in the first innings and produce a good knock in the second, but he seems to have addressed that issue as well.

A red-hot Karunaratne will be eager to prove his worth in India with some big scores and Sri Lanka would hope he continues to shoulder the responsibility of batting long. Thus, he is one of the players who can pose a big threat to the Indian bowlers.

#2 Dinesh Chandimal

It will be a stern test for Chandimal, both as a batsman and as captain

Dinesh Chandimal has been one of the most talented batsmen going around in the Sri Lankan circuit for quite some time now. He has this brilliant ability to change the course of the game with some impactful performances.

He did this at Galle against India in 2015 when he took Sri Lanka from 92/5 to 367 with a counter-attacking 162. He was at it again against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi when he batted over nine hours to score a majestic 155 to help the Lankans post 419 in the first innings.

Chandimal was one of the best batsmen in the series against Pakistan in the UAE. He led from the front as he finished as the 2nd highest run-getter of the series with 224 runs. He has the ability to adapt to different situations of the game. He can stabilize or rebuild the innings or he can take the attack to the opposition as well. So, an experienced and in form Chandimal will be a crucial component of this batting order for this series in India.

Moreover, Chandimal has captained the side pretty decently as well. He has been a little unorthodox with his field settings and bowling changes and also has been proactive on the field. Thus, it will be a challenge for him but he is also one of the players to watch out for in this Sri Lankan line-up.

#1 Rangana Herath

Herath will be keen to improve his record against India.

At 39, Rangana Herath is one of the oldest players going around in the international circuit. He is constantly proving that age is just a number and his performances are getting better.

Herath’s poor show against India at home was a worrying sign. He could only pick up five wickets in two Tests he played at a poor average of almost 70 and a pathetic strike-rate of 109.20. It raised many questions as to whether he could continue in a similar way that he has for so many years.

But Sri Lanka’s warhorse silenced his critics with a splendid show in the UAE against Pakistan. He picked up 16 wickets in two Tests at a brilliant average of 17.31. He helped the visitors defend 135 in the first Test as Pakistan failed to counter the threat he posed, allowing him to pick up a stunning 6/43.

During the series, he also became the oldest bowler (at the age of 39) to take 400 Test wickets (did so in 84 Test matches). He is the first left-arm spinner to achieve the feat.

His comeback to form is a very good sign for the Lankans as the 39-year old spinner is still Sri Lanka’s trump card and go-to bowler. Thus, he would certainly be the player to watch out for in this series in India as Sri Lanka's bowling will continue to revolve around him.