India vs Sri Lanka, IND vs SL, Today Match Prediction 04 March 2022

ind vs sl Match Prediction & Analysis

India would take on Sri Lanka in the 1st Test Match of the 2-Match series at Mohali. The Indians have enjoyed an excellent record at home over the last five years and they would look to dominate the proceedings right from the start. Sri Lanka has a good bowling attack and they would bank on it to do well in this game. 

Indians have enjoyed an excellent record at this venue and haven’t lost a game at this ground since 1994. It will take lots of heart for the Sri Lankans to win against the Indians in this game. Sri Lanka’s batsmen have struggled against quality bowling in recent years and it would be interesting to see how they approach this game.

TEAMS PREVIEW

India Preview

Rohit Sharma would start his career as a full-time skipper of the Indian Test side in this game. He would be beaming with confidence having whitewashed the Sri Lankans in the T20 series. They have a strong batting line-up and Sharma would like to see his players play their natural game and take an early lead in the series.  

Sharma and Mayank Agarwal would be opening in this game as KL Rahul has been ruled out due to injury. They would look to see off the new ball as Lankans have a nippy pace attack. Shreyas Iyer is likely to bat at No. 3 and he would want to carry his form from the T20 series. Virat Kohli hasn’t enjoyed great form and he would look to deliver here with Rishabh Pant at No. 5. Hanuma Vihari, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin add to the side’s batting depth. 

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami have been in great form over the last two years and they shall aim to strike early in this game. Mohammad Siraj has shown promise and the side would like him to do well in home conditions. Jadeja and Ashwin are likely to enjoy the conditions here. Vihari adds a bowling option for the side making it a very strong attack. 

India Predicted Playing XI:

Rohit Sharma (c), Mayank Agarwal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hanuma Vihari, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj

India Actual Playing XI:

Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Agarwal, Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, Jayant Yadav

Sri Lanka Preview

Dimuth Karunaratne’s side did well against West Indies in their last series at home. But this would be a different challenge for them. Their record against the Indians in this format of the game hasn’t been too encouraging over the last decade. The side would have to play out of its skins to defeat the mighty Indians in their backyard. 

Dimuth Karunaratne has done well in the recent series and he would aim to set up a good opening wicket stand with Lahiru Thirimanne. Kusal Mendis must deliver after missing out on opportunities for the last few series. In Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, they have experienced players in the middle order and shall like to see them deliver. The side would also expect contributions from  Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva.  

Suranga Lakmal and Dushmantha Chameera will need to strike early as the Indians have a very strong top order. It will be important to see how well they use the conditions with the new ball. Jeffrey Vandersay and Lasith Embuldeniya shall have to make good use of their variations. The side would also expect to see good spells from Dhananjaya de Silva.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lasith Embuldeniya

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Lasith Embuldeniya, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Vishwa Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Charith Asalanka, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There are predictions for clear skies over Mohali starting March 03 and the conditions are expected to be good for batting on the first two days of the game. Bowlers have also done well here in the morning sessions as there is assistance for them. The venue has an average 1st innings score of 355 runs and the side batting first would be happy to get to that score.

Venue Details

Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali has seen tough competition between bat and ball. Batsmen who see off the new ball have done well at this venue. The track is known for offering swing and seam movement to fast bowlers at the start of the game. Spinners do well Day 3 onward when the wicket breaks down and the ball grips the surface.

Toss: To Bat

The wicket is expected to be good for batting on the first two days and batting conditions would become challenging as the game progresses. Chasing a score in the 4th innings wouldn’t be easy. Hence, the side winning the toss in this game wouldn’t have any hesitation in batting first.