Overview
- The second unofficial Test in Galle started on Thursday, July 2, with Sri Lanka A 288 for 5 at stumps and Sahan Arachchige unbeaten on 83.
- Gurnoor Brar joined the attack and took a wicket on day one while Yash Thakur and Saransh Jain shared four wickets, and Sai Sudharsan was cleared fit to play.
- Selectors and coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar have signalled a rotation policy on this exposure tour to give game time across the squad and to evaluate bench options.
- Manav Suthar is expected to feature as the lead left-arm spinner and his inclusion would likely mean resting Harsh Dubey, just as Brar’s presence could see Yash Thakur sit out.
- Performances on this tour will feed direct selection decisions for pace and spin depth ahead of the New Zealand tour and the home Australia series, with players such as Aman Mokhade, Zeeshan Ansari and Auqib Nabi also under consideration.