6.15 PM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Sri Lanka win toss and bat against India

Photo: AFP

Published
By AFP

Sri Lanka skipper Dinesh Chandimal won the toss and elected to bat as he led an unchanged side into the second Test against India in Nagpur on Friday.

The visitors drew the opening game of the three-Test series against top-ranked India in Kolkata.

"Looks like a good Test pitch and we have to make the maximum out of this. There's grass cover but it's dry underneath," Chandimal said.

"We played good cricket in the first Test apart from the last session, so we have chatted about how to bat in the second innings," he added.

India captain Virat Kohli said he would also have batted first. India are using the series to prepare for their South Africa tour starting in January.

The hosts made three changes to their starting line-up with batsmen Rohit Sharma, Murali Vijay and paceman Ishant Sharma making their way into the team.

Fast bowler Mohammed Shami is out with a niggle.

"The first session should offer something to the quicks. Not a good grass covering as such, some cracks, but it should do something," said Kohli.

"The pitch tends to slow down as the game progresses. If the batsmen plan, they can get runs. Bowlers can also get wickets here. Looks like a pretty good pitch," he said.

India: Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, Lokesh Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Dasun Shanaka, Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Gamage

Umpires: Richard Kettleborough (ENG), Joel Wilson (WIS)

TV umpire: Nigel Llong (ENG)

Match referee: David Boon (AUS)