12BET Predictions: India vs Sri Lanka, 1st Test Preview

After the fast and furious pace of the T20s, all the focus shifts on the upcoming 2 Test series where India will be locking horns with Sri Lanka in what construes to be a very pivotal series for India as far as their aspirations to qualify for the World Test championship finals are concerned. This also marks Kohli’s 100th Test cricket match and will have a crowd to witness this momentous occasion.
India
India will be looking to put things right after a rather poor showing in their 2-1 series loss to South Africa away, with poor live cricket form. That series loss has put them in a rather perilous position in terms of the WTC table. India will now need to win all their remaining tests and hope that other results go their way. They will also be hoping that the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma perform with the bat and lay down a strong platform for the rest. With the added spectacle of this being Kohli’s 100th test match, there definitely will be a lot of eyes fixated on how Kolhi will carry himself, especially with the bat.
Sri Lanka
For the team that sits on the top of the perch in terms of WTC points concerned, this will be a good opportunity for Sri Lanka to continue their recent good run of form as far as red-ball cricket is concerned. After sweeping away Bangladesh in their last series, the Islanders will be looking to stamp their authority on an Indian team that is witnessing a gradual change in terms of leadership as well as personnel.
Head-to-Head
In the 11 test matches that have been played on Indian soil between the two nations, India has comprehensively dominated the Lankans, winning all the 11, most of them rather lopsidedly as well.
Prediction
Even though this is a new-look Indian test line-up, with a new Captain in the form of Rohit Sharma, this is still a side to be feared. With the likes of Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant all eagerly waiting to bare their teeth against a Lanka side that has never tasted victory in these conditions, it all points out to a rather straightforward victory for India to make a 100th test match to savor for Kohli.
Date and Time
March 4th, 2022 (Friday) at 9:30 am IST
Venue
Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali
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