A Test clash between neighbouring nations India and Sri Lanka always attract a lot of spectators. Cricketers from both the sides ensure that every fan gets maximum entertainment out of his ticket.
After being awarded a Test status in 1981, Sri Lanka marked their first Test win against India by 149 runs in September 1985.
As the Islanders are touring India again for a lengthy series comprising three Tests and as many ODIs and T20s starting November 16, we present you a list of Indian batsmen, who would aim to capitalise on the previous appearances against Lankans in Test cricket.
Shikhar Dhawan
India’s opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan will look for an encore of his heroics that helped India register a clean sweep 3-0 win in Sri Lanka in July this year.
Having presented with The Player of The Series award, Dhawan had scored 358 runs in four innings that includes his Test-best knock of 190 runs as well. Besides this, he scored another century in the third Test in Pallekele.
While facing Sri Lanka in four Tests, the 31-year-old southpaw batsman has made 520 runs with three hundreds.
Cheteshwar Pujara
No.3 batsman Cheteshwar Pujara also appeared in a remarkable shape during India’s recent tour of Sri Lanka. Two back-to-back centuries were the high points of India’s 3-0 Test victory.
The 29-year-old batsman from Rajkot slammed 309 runs in four innings, with notable knocks of 153 and 133 runs in first two Test matches.
“During the last series, Sri Lanka’s bowling attack may not have been one of the best but Test runs never come easy. You have to fight for every run that you score in longer format,” he told PTI, recalling the last meet.
Also read: Test runs never come easy, says Cheteshwar Pujara
In all, Pujara has played four Test matches against Sri Lanka and scored 454 runs including three centuries in the longest format.
Ajinkya Rahane
At the middle-order, Ajinkya Rahane symbolises depth in India’s batting line-up. During the recent Sri Lanka Tour, Rahane shone with a fifty and a hundred-plus knock while batting at No.5.
Rahane struck a 57-run knock in the first Test, before scoring his career-best knock of 132 runs in the second Test. Facing Lankans in six Tests, the 29-year-old batsman has 407 runs in his kitty.
Virat Kohli
Indian captain Virat Kohli leads the team by example in all three formats. Although he’s indomitable in ODIs with 31 centuries, Test too isn’t a tough format for the 29-year-old Delhi batsman.
On Sri Lanka tour, Kohli excelled with an unbeaten 103-run knock in the second innings of the first Test.
Kohli has scored 394 runs in six Test matches against Sri Lanka, which includes two tons. In all, the Indian captain has 4658 from 60 Tests with 17 centuries and a highest knock of 235 runs.
KL Rahul
Opener KL Rahul missed the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle but made a thumping return in the following games, scoring 57 and 85 runs.
The 25-year-old has played just 19 Tests for India so far, out of which five came against Sri Lanka. The Bengaluru boy has been confident while facing the Lankans as he has 268 Test runs under his name with a century knock.