India v Sri Lanka, second Test
Venue: Kanpur Date: 24-28 November
Coverage: Regular score updates plus daily reports on BBC Sport website, plus live television coverage on Sky Sports 1 from 0400 GMT
 India skipper Dhoni scored a hundred in the first Test |
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will play in the second Test against Sri Lanka starting on Tuesday, despite injuring a finger in practice. Injured Sri Lanka fast bowler Dammika Prasad misses out, but opener Tillakaratne Dilshan will play. Prasad strained a hamstring during last week's drawn first Test while Dilshan broke his nose colliding with a team-mate playing football after the game. Leg-spinner Ajantha Mendis could replace Rengana Herath. And the Sri Lankans will also consider the claims of experienced paceman Dilhara Fernando.  | I don't see him as struggling. He is finding himself in a new way in the series Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara on Muttiah Muralitharan |
After seven batsmen hit hundreds on a flat Ahmedabad pitch, both sides hope the Green Park surface will aid bowlers. "There is a bit more grass, but it appears dry underneath," said Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara. "Prasad's injury means we can play three spinners if we want to. Ajantha [Mendis] is always in the reckoning and Fernando has also been bowling quite fast and accurately." Mendis starred in Sri Lanka's 2-1 Test victory at home against India in 2008, picking up a record 26 wickets, but his form has dipped of late. Dhoni added: "The weather is cool so the fast bowlers will get help in the mornings and at some point reverse swing will also come into action. The wicket will also break. | 606: DEBATE |
"I think we leaked too many runs in the first Test. It was pretty tough work for the bowlers but they were still eager to bowl and I was pleased with their attitude. But I think we ought to stick to more disciplined lines." Sri Lanka have not won any of their 15 Tests in India since 1982, but held the early advantage in Ahmedabad after left-armer Chanaka Welegedara helped reduce India to 32-4 on the first morning. "We can't relax, we've got to keep challenging ourselves," added Sangakkara, who also defended spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who failed to impress in the first Test. "I don't see him as struggling. He is finding himself in a new way in the series," stated Sangakkara. "When you've got a legend in your side you've got to depend on him but there will always be expectations." The 37-year-old Muralitharan, 14 short of extending his world record Test wicket haul to 800, is playing his last overseas tour.
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