Sri Lanka vs India - Four key players who could decide the outcome of the Test series

Sport360 staff 00:27 26/07/2017
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Ashwin was the Player of the Series when India toured Sri Lanka in 2015.

    Sri Lanka host India in a three-match Test series which begins on Wednesday.

    Here, we have a look at four key players who could decide the fate of the series.

    RANGANA HERATH

    The left-arm spinner has been the lynchpin of Sri Lanka’s bowling attack since the retirement of Muttiah Muralitharan and he’s been doing a marvellous job.

    Herath has been in supreme form lately and the statistics prove that. Since the beginning of last year, he has taken 87 wickets at an average of 20.36. He will know, though, that he will have to be at his best to give the hosts a chance of winning the series.

    In the absence of newly-appointed Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal, Herath will also captain the Sri Lankan team in the first Test.

    ANGELO MATHEWS

    Having recently resigned as the captain of the Sri Lankan team, Mathews will hope to be back to his best.

    In his last 13 Tests, Mathews scored just 687 runs at an average of 27.48 which is well below his career average of 45.81. In fact, he hasn’t scored a Test century since the last time Sri Lanka hosted India in a Test series which was back in 2015.

    Without the burden of captaincy on his shoulders, the 30-year-old scored 41 and 25 in the Test against Zimbabwe but will be looking for bigger scores against India.

    Will Angelo Mathews return to his best?

    Will Angelo Mathews return to his best?

    VIRAT KOHLI

    The Indian skipper had a brilliant few months in Test cricket, starting in July 2016 with the tour to the West Indies. In a span of eight months, Kohli managed to notch up four double centuries which saw him climb up to second on the ICC Test rankings for batsmen.

    Kohli, though, went on to have a poor series against Australia and with all the stuff that has gone on over the past couple of months regarding the coaching situation, there is some pressure on him to perform.

    These are situations Kohli usually relishes, so don’t be surprised if he puts in a big performance in this series.

    RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN

    The off-spinner has been in superb form over the last couple of years, playing a vital role in India’s climb to the number one spot on the ICC Test Rankings.

    Ashwin’s performances have been so good that he was named the ICC Cricketer of the Year as well as the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year last year.

    The last time India visited Sri Lanka for a Test series, Ashwin was the Player of the Series after having picked up 21 wickets in three matches at an average of 18.09. The Indian team will be hoping that the Tamil Nadu cricketer can produce similar bowling performances on this tour as well.

    Recommended