Kuldeep Yadav Out, Debut To Saransh Jain? India’s Predicted XI For 2nd Test Vs Sri Lanka In Colombo

India have little reason to press the panic button ahead of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, but one selection call could still generate plenty of discussion. After a convincing 165-run victory in Galle, Shubman Gill's side head to the Sinhalese Sports Club with a 1-0 lead and the opportunity to complete a series sweep.

The second Test begins on August 23, with India expected to retain the core of the side that delivered their 600th Test victory in the series opener.

The batting unit looks settled. KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are expected to continue at the top, while Devdutt Padikkal has made himself extremely difficult to drop after a superb 167 and 44 in Galle. His Player of the Match performance came after he was drafted in for the injured Sai Sudharsan, and it should be enough to retain the No. 3 spot.

Gill, meanwhile, will look for a stronger outing after being dismissed twice by left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya in the first Test. The India captain has already put extra focus on tackling left-arm spin in the Colombo nets, facing Manav Suthar, Ravindra Jadeja and local bowlers.

Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel are also likely to keep their places, while Jadeja remains a certainty because of the balance he brings with bat and ball. The biggest talking point surrounds India's spin attack. Manav Suthar was the standout performer in Galle, claiming a memorable 10-wicket match haul in only his second Test, making his place virtually untouchable.

That leaves Kuldeep Yadav under the scanner after a relatively quiet first Test. However, India's spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule has publicly backed the left-arm wrist-spinner, saying the team remains confident in him and is not looking to panic after one underwhelming outing. That suggests Kuldeep could retain his place, despite Saransh Jain waiting in the squad as an off-spin option.

Apart from that, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna should continue to lead the pace attack. India, therefore, are likely to back the combination that worked in Galle rather than make an unnecessary change.

IND Vs SL 2nd Test: India Predicted Playing XI

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Manav Suthar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna.

IND Vs SL 2nd Test: Squads

India squad: Shubman Gill (c), KL Rahul (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Devdutt Padikkal, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan

Sri Lanka squad: Lahiru Udara, Kamil Mishara, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Kamindu Mendis (Vice Captain), Dhananjaya De Silva (Captain), Sahan Arachchige, Sonal Dinusha, Niroshan Dickwella, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Ratnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando.