The first Test, which India eventually won by 165 runs, ran its five-day course on a pitch that did not have any demons in it except natural wear and tear. The Sri Lankan officials think that giving an overtly spin friendly pitch for the second Test, starting on August 23, might just backfire.
So, we need to give our young batters a chance also,” a SLC official told PTI. The temptation to produce a dustbowl to exploit Indian batters’ discomfort against spin might be running high, but the Sinhalese Sports Club for the second Test might just feature a track similar to the one at Galle that gave equal chance to batters and bowlers. “At this moment, the thinking is for a well-balanced pitch like the one you saw at Galle. Sri Lanka are also without some experienced players like Chandi (Dinesh Chandimal), Kusal (Mendis) and (Pathum) Nissanka.
“Of course, it all depends on what finally the team wants for the match, you know, something that gives them the best chance to win and draw the series,” he added. In the aughts, batters used to have a carnival at the SSC pitches and it was a mini fortress of the home side.
A similar script may pan out here in the second Test, as team batting first might just hold all the aces.
