5 reasons why Sri Lanka can pose a threat to India
No team has come to the UAE and defeated Pakistan in a Tt series. But against all odds, Sri Lanka dominated them in the teams' recent Test series, putting a temperary pause to their recent woes.
They managed to put a string of recent defeats behind them and beat Pakistan 2-0, something which no team has managed to do so far- beating Pakistan in a test series in their new home, UAE.
Sri Lanka are scheduled to play India in a 3-match test series starting November 16.
With Sri Lanka never having won a test match against India on Indian conditions, that would add as an extra motivation for the team. They will look at continuing their good form in test cricket off-late and probably look at creating history by challenging and defeating India on their home turf.
Here’s why Sri Lanka can pose a threat to India in the test series.
Niroshan Dickwella's wicket-keeping and batting:
Niroshan Dickwella has been Sri Lanka's biggest find in the year 2017. Their cricket has gone through a period of turmoil with the team losing matches across all formats.
But despite that if there is one player who has continously been a constant fixture across all formats and improved his game consistently, it would have to be Niroshan Dickwella. The 24 year old wicket-keeper has come of age in the past year.
He has played 12 tests so far with an impressive average of 35.85 which would get better. The best part about his batting is he attacks the spinners, be it Yasir Shah against Pakistan or even Ravi Ashwin when India played Sri Lanka recently.
His batting is infused with positivity and optimism and that would pose a big threat to India. If Dickwella can curb his enthusiasm and play with a little more patience then batting down the order he can definitely cause headaches for India's bowlers.
One more aspect of his game, his wicket-keeping, is also a big positive for Sri Lanka. Right from encouraging the bowlers when the pitch has nothing much for them to be able to be useful and behind the stumps, he is capable.
His wicket-keeping was fantastic in a energy sapping series in the heat of UAE recently, and his ability to bat under immense pressure in the 4th innings of a test match, which was witnessed in the second test against Pakistan can pose a threat to India.