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

#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.