Ajinkya Rahane is desperately short of runs and would need some before he embarks on the tour of South Africa BCCI
India
Game time for the South Africa-bound
This umpteenth series against Sri Lanka comes in lieu of a conditioning camp or an early arrival in South Africa for the Indian cricket team but, for what's it's worth, it's game-time nonetheless. And - irrespective of the format - those in need of it most are Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah.
With a full South Africa tour looming, Pandya excused himself from the Sri Lanka Tests in order to focus on his fitness. Given that he's been one of the constants for India across formats in the last year or so, the break was absolutely justifiable. But before he finds himself back in the Test fold in conditions he hasn't played in before, the buffer time in Sri Lanka series gives him the best chance of getting some overs under his belt, irrespective of the format they come in.
Likewise, Bumrah opted out of Ranji games for the state side and instead chose to sweat it out at the NCA. He might have been picked as a back-up seamer going to South Africa, but when the team's travelling with more than one injury-prone bowler, it wouldn't take long before he finds himself upgraded in the virtual pecking order. While there's hardly an iota of doubt about his credentials in the shorter formats, he'd be expected to hit the ground running should a last-minute opportunity arise.
Second wind for Rahane?
For Ajinkya Rahane, though, more than the game-time its the runs that'll help - no matter what the format or against which opponent they come. Rahane hasn't had the kind of prep in Sri Lanka Tests he'd have hoped for before embarking on a tough overseas tour. On top of which Rohit Sharma's consistency, purely, is starting to ask questions and mount pressure on India's regular No. 5. In such crisis, captain Virat Kohli's break form Sri Lanka ODIs has opened up a slot. Though it's not the same format and the vacancy is temporary; it might not even be an ideal position for him to bat - or the kind of role the team management expects of him in the long run - but its an opportunity nevertheless for him to get a fifty that'll restore confidence. Rahane would, in all likelihood, continue to wait on the fringes against the tougher opponents in the ODIs, but he could use the runs made here to get into the rhythm and hang on to the Test spot in Cape Town.
Sri Lanka
The Chandimal-sized void in batting
Agreed that he hasn't been at his best in the 50-over game in recent times, but Chandimal's prolonged absence may cause more harm to an already volatile batting order in the ODIs. The Test skipper has been one of Sri Lanka's most consistent performers in the long-form cricket, having scored daddy hundreds against all three Asian opponents in the year (almost) gone by. And it's only a matter of time before the confidence trickles down to the shorter formats. Against an opponent as tough as India and pitches as close to the home ones, Chandimal needs the selectors to keep their faith in him in order to regain his lost touch rather than being made the scapegoat every time he fails to live up to the lofty expectations. For a batting order that has seen players being picked on adhoc basis series after series, a reliable and technically sound bat like Chandimal could rather be one of the pillars around which Sri Lanka is hoping to erect their post-transition team.
The guiding Angel(o)
Irrespective of his age or form, Angelo Mathews still remains probably the most vital cog in Sri Lanka's wobbly wheel, across all formats. And the fighting century in Delhi Test comes as a timely reminder of just why he is indispensable to the team even if he's discharging only half the usual responsibilities. After relinquishing captaincy duties in the wake of a humiliating ODI series loss to Zimbabwe at home earlier this year, and a lengthy injury-plagued stretch that kept him out of action on and off, Mathews showed a glimpse of his class by pulling his team out of puddles time and again in the Tests. That he's hitting the right notes ahead of the abridged contests comes as a massive boost to the beleaguered Sri Lanka side. Add to that the prospect of resuming bowling cometh the ODIs, having recovered sufficiently. For the visitors to have any chance at salvaging lost pride, it is of paramount importance that Mathews continues to lead by example - captain or not.
The comeback men
The eye-catching all-rounder, Asela Gunaratne, is back to add the much-needed depth and zest to Sri Lanka's batting. After propelling the team to a memorable T20I series win on Australia soil early in 2017 and then playing a vital hand in stunning India at the Champions Trophy group game months later, Gunaratne found himself out of action after breaking his thumb in the Galle Test against India in August. A little old - only given Sri Lanka's undying urge to keep inducting fresh blood - but his experience and prowess with the bat add versatility to the line-up and make him one of the finest finishers in Sri Lanka's resource tank at the moment.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka would be hoping that Nuwan Pradeep's return to ODIs, after nearly six months, helps them take their mind off the fact that Lasith Malinga is a spent force they can't reliably fall back on anymore. Not unless he's truly earned his spot back in the 15, anyway. Malinga's underwhelming return, at home against India, meant that he automatically fell off the selectors radar while picking the squad that travelled to the UAE, and his continued absence fails to surprise now. But for Sri Lanka to fill that void, Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal have to take charge and form a formidable partnership that can produce wickets upfront.
