Host Sri Lanka will have to take on India without their experienced spin bowler Muttiah Muralitharan in their second Test match of the three-match Test series that will take place just after two days (26th July 2010) at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in Colombo. Sri Lankan cricket team is leading the Test series 1-0 winning the first test match by 10 wickets at Galle International Stadium to bid an excellent farewell for Muralitharan, who played his last test match.
Sri Lankan cricket team will have to play without Muralitharan in their second Test match as the spin wizard has taken retirement from Test cricket after playing the opening test against India. Now, the question is that who will replace him for the next test match. I don’t think there is anyone who can successfully replace him in the main squad. However, Ajantha Mendis has been recalled in the squad and there is a strong possibility that he will take Murali’s place in the playing XI.
There is another question that how much Ajantha Mendis can put pressure with the ball. Twenty-five-year-old Mendis made his Test debut in Sinhalese Sports Club Ground in 2008. It was his dream test debut as he picked 8 wickets and shared 19 wickets with Muralitharan. However, this time, he will have to do the job alone. No doubt, it will be a big challenge for him.
Muralitharan had great contribution behind his team’s success in the first test match against India as he picked 8 wickets, 5 wickets in the first innings and 3 wickets in the second innings, and reached the 800-wicket land mark. His retirement has created a big void in the Sri Lankan squad.
No doubt, the second Test match against India is going to be a big challenge for Sri Lankan cricket team. This match will be shown live on Ten Sports.
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