5 Indian players who can trouble Sri Lanka in the test series

Team India is scheduled to host Sri Lanka (SL) for a 3-match test series, which is going to begin from 16th of November at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. In their last test series, which SL played in the UAE, they defeated Pakistan 2-0, whereas the Indian team whitewashed SL in their last test series, played in the island nation.

Although the Sri Lankan team is visiting India on the back of a test series win, they will surely have to face quite a few difficulties against the hosts.

Let’s have a look at the 5 players who will pose a challenge for the visitors in the series.

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#1 Virat Kohli

The “Run Machine” is in the prime form of his life. After playing some outstanding cricket in the limited over matches against New Zealand and Australia, he will look to continue his great form in the test series as well.

Kohli has played a total of 19 tests from January 2016 till date, in which he has scored 1664 runs at an average of 64, which includes 6 centuries and 5 half-centuries. Out of these six hundreds, he has scored one against SL at Galle this year in July. Kohli has also scored four double hundreds in this span, which reflects his ability to play long innings as well.

With the added responsibility of being the captain of the team, Kohli's batting has improved a lot in the recent past. Currently, he ranks number 6 in the ICC Test batsman rankings.

#2 Cheteshwar Pujara

The Saurashtra batsman has become a champion player in the longer format of the game. Pujara has been the most consistent and dependable batsman in the Indian batting line-up for test matches in the past few years. If we go through the 19 test matches which he has played from January 2016 till date, he has scored 1687 runs at an average of 62.48, including six hundreds and eight fifties, with a highest score of 202.

Pujara is known for his potential to play long innings, which he did against Australia in the third test match of the Border-Gavaskar trophy played at Ranchi, where he batted for three sessions along with Ajinkya Rahane and saved the match for his team.

In the recent Ranji Trophy match against Jharkhand, he scored a brilliant 204 runs, which shows his current form and can pose a challenge for the SL team. Pujara is currently the number 4 ranked batsman in the ICC Test rankings.

#3 Ravichandran Ashwin

The 31-year old right arm off break bowler has come a long way in his career, especially in test matches. Apart from his bowling, his batting has improved a lot in the recent past, making him a great asset for the Indian team.

From January 2016, Ashwin has played 20 test matches, in which he has taken 116 wickets with an economy rate of 2.86 runs per over, including ten 5-wicket hauls. He has also scored vital 831 runs in these matches at an average of 34.62, which consists two hundreds and five fifties. In the recent English County season, he played 4 matches, where he took 20 wickets and scored 214 runs for his team Worcestershire.

Ashwin’s all-round ability will definitely create problems for the visiting team. He currently ranks number 4 in the ICC Test bowlers rankings and number 3 in the ICC Test all-rounders rankings.

#4 Ravindra Jadeja

“SIR” Jadeja has become a spin legend of the Indian cricket in the longer format of the game. He started his career as a batting all-rounder, but by the virtue of his exceptional bowling performances, he has turned himself into a spin bowling all-rounder.

In the duration between January 2016 and today’s date, Jadeja has played 16 tests, in which he has dismissed opponents 87 times at an economy rate of 2.38 runs per over, including five fifers. Also, he has scored 1136 runs in these matches, which were vital contributions for the team in the lower order.

His ability to turn the ball after pitching it on the rough patches has helped him in striking wickets on a regular basis, especially in fourth innings of a test match. Jadeja is currently the number 2 bowler and number 2 all-rounder in the ICC Test rankings.

#5 Ajinkya Rahane

The vice-captain of the Indian test cricket team can be a potential threat for the visiting team in the upcoming test series. His subtle and steady batting has been a key for his success in the longer format of the game.

From January 2016 till date, at an average of 51.73 in 18 matches, Rahane has scored 1190 runs, including three hundreds and five fifties, with a highest score of 188, which he scored against New Zealand at Indore. His last hundred came against SL in Colombo, where he scored a magnificent 132 runs and ensured his team’s victory.

His ability to stay at the crease for longer duration can be a challenge for the Sri Lankans. Rahane is currently ranking number 9 in the ICC Test batsman rankings.