India Vs Sri Lanka: Here is the probable India XI for Galle Test

New Delhi, July 25: Number one ranked Team India are set to begin another Test season, this time with an overseas tour of Sri Lanka, starting from July 26 at Galle.

India-SL Series schedule India-SL Series schedule

Virat Kohli and his boys will begin their campaign against Rangana Herath-led side in a Test match after a gap of almost four months.

The team has gone through a lot of change in these four months, Mumbai Indians won the IPL title for the record fourth time, Kohli failed to live up to the expectations in the cash rich league this year, defending champions India were defeated by Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final and Men In Blue once again lost a T20I series against West Indies after winning the ODI rubber 3-1.

Also, the cricket team will be having a new coach in Ravi Shastri after former coach Anil Kumble stepped down from his position after a drama of almost one month.

With Shastri back into the helm and his choice of men as support staff he would be hoping to pass his assignment with flying colours.

Shastri, the former India captain, was director of the side when Team India toured the island nation last time. India scripted a turn around win after going down 1-0 and ended up winning the three-match series 2-1.

It was a momentous victory for both Shastri and Kohli, who was leading the side for the first time as a full time coach. Several players, including skipper Kohli, praised Shastri for bringing the positivity in the side after defeat.

Coming back to the team, several faces in this present squad for Sri Lanka were also part of the victorious team, back in 2015. They would be once again hoping to repeat a 2015-like performance but wouldn't take the hosts lightly as well for they are still a team to beat at home.

India suffered a massive setback on Monday (July 24) as their opener KL Rahul was ruled out of the side due to fever, thus bringing the focus back to Shikhar Dhawan and Abhinav Mukund.

Cheteshwar Pujara opened for India in Dharamsala Test, the last game India played, but the Rajkot batter's presence will be required more in the middle-order this time. Hence, Dhawan and Mukund are likely to open for India at Galle Test.

India might even consider going with three spinners for that seems to be a good strategy.

Here is the Probable India XI for Galle Test:

1. Shikhar Dhawan

The left-handed opener last played a Test match back in 2016 against New Zealand during the home series. Dhawan, who is a regular in the ODI squd, didn't perform well and eventually lost his position from the Test squad.

Dhawan, the stylish left-handed opener, has played 23 Tests and slammed four Test hundreds. He began his Test journey on a high with a brilliant 187 on his debut against Australia, but couldn't capitalise upon the opportunities later on. He slammed only three centuries and as many fifties in the 22 Tests that followed.

He was dropped from the side owing to the poor form. However, captain Virat Kohli had earlier said that Dhawan or Mukund should not feel the pressure but should treat the situation as an opportunity.

2. Abhinav Mukund

Left-handed opener Abhinav Mukund failed to make an impression in both the innings of his comeback match as he scored a duck and 16 in Bengaluru Test against Australia.

The Tamil Nadu opener's return in the India squad after a gap of five-and-a-half years thus turned out to be a damp squib.

Mukund now faces a tough task of proving his mettle in the side in the absence of regular openers Vijay and Rahul.

3. Cheteshwar Pujara

The India top-order batsman was the second most consistent batsman and second highest scorer for the side after skipper Virat Kohli in the last Test season.

Team would once again be depending upon Pujara's grit and determination in challenging conditions of Galle.

Besides, the right-handed batsman would himself be hoping for a better show against Sri Lanka for that will boost his confidence and his performance overseas.

4. Virat Kohli (C)

This most lethal weapon in the Indian batting arsenal at No. 4 had a dismal outing with the bat during the Test series against Australia. Adding up to his woes was the injury during Ranchi Test which forced him to be out of action from Dharamsala Test.

Kohli's flop show in his last 5 innings, was a reason why India failed to post big totals against Australia.

His innings of 0, 13, 12, 15, and 6 in the last five innings do no justice to his reputation. Kohli would be eager to get over the short dip and lead his side with example.

5. Ajinkya Rahane

He's another vital cog in the wheel of Indian batting but just like Kohli, Rahane too wasn't in his prime against Australia.

Barring his performance in the second innings in Bengaluru, Rahane failed to impress on every other occasion.

The Mumbaikar would come out to bat at No. 5 in Dharamsala and one hopes he scores this time for there is tough fight for this spot with fellow Mumbaikar Rohit Sharma.

He seemed in good form against West Indies in the ODI series and the right-handed batter would be hoping to continue from where he left in the Caribbean islands.

6. Wriddhiman Saha

The wicketkeeper batsman slammed his career's best Test hundred in Ranchi Test.

Saha stitched a partnership of 199 runs with Pujara to help India score 603 in the first innings.

The right-handed batsman and stumper from Bengal would come in to bat at No. 6 in the Galle Test.

7. R Ashwin

Like always, Ashwin will spearhead the Indian bowling attack in Galle, from the moment pitch starts favouring spinners.

The most consistent Indian bowler in previous home season will be hoping to repeat his previous performance against Sri Lanka.

Ashwin bats well, his presence at No. 8 will also strengthen Indian batting, lower down the order.

8. Ravindra Jadeja

The No.1 bowler in Tests, who left his spin twin R Ashwin behind to climb at the top of the points table in the ICC rankings, will once again play a crucial role against.

The left-arm spinner can be equally lethal against Sri Lanka with his batting exploits.

9. Kuldeep Yadav

The young chinaman spinner was the trump card for the side in Dharamsala, the last Test they played.

Kuldeep stunned a strong Australian batting line-up in his debut Test. He performed exceptionally well on the West Indies tour and that would help him get rewarded to earn another match at Galle.

10. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Team's best swing bowler will once again get a place into the Playing XI. His ability to swing the ball both ways makes him a must fit in the side.

11. Mohammed Shami/Hardik Pandya

The Bengal pacer will be making a comeback into the Playing XI for Galle Test. A fully-fit Shami could be the first choice for any captain for he's among most dangerous of pacers on his day.

With skipper Kohli, during the presser on the eve of the first match, giving a hint about Hardik Pandya making his Test debut, there is a possibility that Baroda all-rounder plays as a bowler for it is highly unlikely that India will field three pacers.

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