Sri Lanka is still searching for its first Test win in India in 18 matches since 1982.
Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal is hoping for a miracle on what he described as a “good Test wicket” at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur as his side is still searching for its first Test win in India in 18 matches since 1982.
Asked if he pondered why the Island Nation has not been able to win a Test in India, the 28-year-old Chandimal said here on Thursday ahead of the second Test: “If you take the Indian team, it is a very good side. It is a big challenge for us as a team to come here and win a game or a series. But I am sure we can do some miracle here. We have to do our basics, stick to our game plans. In the middle, we have to execute our game plans. If we can do that, we can put the Indians under pressure. We are looking at that as a team.”
Chandimal said that the mood in the team has been upbeat despite facing defeat in Kolkata in the series opening Test. “Kolkata was a good Test match apart from that last session. We saw the wicket in Nagpur. It is a good Test wicket, that’s what I feel. You know everyone is in good shape and looking forward for this game,” Chandimal said.
Sri Lanka went 3-0 down to India when Virat Kohli and his men toured there in July-August this year. Since then, they have won the Test series against Pakistan in UAE and drew the first Test at Eden Gardens.
Chandimal said the difference from then and now is the lessons learnt during the defeat to India at home. “We learned a lot from the last Indian series in Sri Lanka. The most important thing is we came here to win the series. Our attitude has changed. Every time our fielding also has made a huge difference, there’s a lot of energy. We have looked at a six-five combination or six-four plus all-rounder. That’s the combination we are looking at. Most importantly we have come here with a mind set to win a Test match.”
Chandimal called experienced left-arm spinner Rangana Herath as “a wily old fox” and hoped him to take wickets in this Test as the pitch is expected to assist spinners from the third day. Herath bowled only eight overs in all in Kolkata and went wicketless as seamers had a field outing throughout.
“With the green top in Kolkata, Herath was not that effective,” said Chandimal. “Of course, Herath is a wily old fox. On these wickets, he can be handy. We have Dilruwan (Perera) as well in our ranks.”
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 "cricket, test cricket, India v/s Sri Lanka, nagpur, dinesh chandimal, virat kohli, rangana herath, Vidarbha Cricket Association")
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