India vs Sri Lanka – 1st Test Match Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is India vs Sri Lanka taking place? Friday 4th March, 2022 – 04:00 (UK)
Where is India vs Sri Lanka taking place? Mohali Stadium, Punjab
What is the expected weather for India vs Sri Lanka? Temperatures are set to range from 24 to 28c in mostly sunny skies but it is also likely to be cloudy during plenty of play
What channel is India vs Sri Lanka on? The match will televised live on Sky Sports Cricket
Where can I stream India vs Sri Lanka? The match can be streamed live via Sky Go
LAST MEETING
India vs Sri Lanka – match drawn
THE TEAM NEWS
INDIA
- India claimed a comfortable success in the T20i series against Sri Lanka and following that whitewash, the hosts will be looking to convert that form into the Test arena as they aim to bounce back from their loss last time out against South Africa.
- In what is Virat Kohli’s 100th Test match, the Indians will be out to mark the occasion with a big performance and while the makeup of their batting line-up is yet to be determined with a couple of spots to play for, it will be a strong team that takes to the field.
SRI LANKA
- Sri Lanka were underwhelming in the T20i series against India and have it all to do to overturn those efforts in the longest format of the game with doubts surrounding the quality of their bowling attack.
- The Sri Lankans will have to overcome a long and terrible record if they are to achieve anything in this series having never won a Test match on Indian soil and that leaves them with a gigantic task on their hands although they will hope the likes of Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhanajaya de Silva and Pathum Nissanka can lead the way with the bat.
THE PREDICTION
India were too good for Sri Lanka in their recent T20i series and their domination over the tourists is likely to continue here. The Indians have never lost a Test match against the Sri Lankans on home soil and that record looks safe for now. The hosts were beaten in their last series against South Africa and will be eager to right the wrongs of that tour back on home soil. They have named a very good squad for this series with plenty of competition for places which should drive them on to a very comfortable success in this opening clash.
