Sri Lanka vs India 2017, 2nd Test: India's predicted XI

The 304-run gap between the winning and losing side at Galle exhibited how strong the Indian side have evolved into in subcontinental conditions, and at the same time, how listless the current Sri Lankan line-up look in whites.

Battling with injuries, illness and ill-form, the hosts have a lot on their plate going into the next Test: the return of Dinesh Chandimal is the lone bright spot for them. India, on the other hand, only seem to get better, buoyed further by the return of Lokesh Rahul.

"We like to keep it as a surprise for the opposition", said Virat Kohli, on being asked about the combination for the second Test in the pre-match conference. Despite that, here’s a prediction of India’s line-up for the Colombo Test:

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Top-order

Pujara scored a fine 153 in the first Test

The game of musical chairs at the top of the order will see another new entrant: KL Rahul, who missed the first Test at Galle, is set to return to the fold after recuperating from high fever. The Karnataka batsmen will partner with one of Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund, most likely the former, who plundered a career-best 190 in the first innings to celebrate his own comeback.

While Mukund also scored a fine 87 in the second innings, he still hasn’t made his mark in international cricket, having played just six Tests in six years prior to this.

Cheteshwar Pujara, runs flowing in his veins, will follow the opening duo, having reaffirmed his position as perhaps the best Indian batsmen currently with a pleasing 153 in the first innings.

Middle-order

Kohli got his first century after seven Test innings, at Galle

After successfully clipping off a minor blip in form from his Test resume, Virat Kohli was back amongst the runs in the whites, compiling his 17th Test century in the second innings of the first Test. His captaincy has come a long way from his initial days in 2015, when he first toured with the side here and he reads his players a lot better now.

Ajinkya Rahane played his part in the Galle win, helping India rebuild from a mini middle-order collapse in the first innings with a sedate fifty. His solidity in the middle order augurs well for the team which keep changing on either side of his spot at No. 5.

While there is nothing wrong with Wriddhiman Saha, the keeper, his batting might be putting a few creases on his forehead. After having silenced his critics with a 117 against Australia earlier this year, Saha will have to keep scoring runs to keep the younger contenders at bay.

Lower-middle order

The surface at Colombo will aid Ashwin

Enjoying both confidence and success under Kohli, Hardik Pandya successfully graduated to the longest format at Galle, scoring a fifty on debut. He was under bowled, but is likely to play a more prominent role with the ball as he progresses further.

India’s premier spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, had an indifferent 50th Test, picking up one wicket in the first innings and three in the second. The dry surface could help him gather some turn off the pitch, an asset for any off-spinner in these conditions.

Currently ruling the roost at No. 1 in the ICC Test rankings, Ravindra Jadeja kept poking regular dents in the Lankan side, but the emergence of Kuldeep Yadav will make sure that the Saurashtra boy stays on his toes for the rest of the series. A substantial contribution with the bat would further help his case.

Fast bowlers

Umesh Yadav has kept Bhuvneshwar Kumar out of the playing eleven

A plethora of white-ball cricket games in the recent past meant Umesh Yadav looked a little out of depth in the first innings, unable to set his radar correctly. In the second innings, he was back to his old self, hitting better lines to trouble the top order.

Having successfully kept injuries at bay, Mohammed Shami made his comeback to the side in the first Test, but will take his time to get back to top form. He picked up two wickets in the first innings, and followed it up with one more in the second.

The two are likely to keep the other two pacers, Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, out of the playing XI.