Sri Lanka vs India 2nd Test Preview & Tips - India tipped to secure 2-0 Test series win over Sri Lanka

India deservedly won the first Test against Sri Lanka, although they were made to work for their victory against their spirited opponents.

The top-order of the home side was poor as their top five combined for 66 runs, with only Sonal Dinusha (100) and Niroshan Dickwella (80) able to ensure Sri Lanka avoided the follow-on. However, despite bowling India out for 193, their target of 372 to win always looked improbable, and so it proved as they slumped to a 165-run loss. 

Sri Lanka's inability to bowl India out for less in the first innings cost them as the ball clearly had the advantage over the bat in the final three innings. While they did show signs of resistance with bat and ball, it was not enough against a team like India. 

Worrying will be the fact their poor performance in the first Test is not a flash in the pan. Their last 10 Tests against India have resulted in eight defeats and two draws, while they are now winless in their last four in the longest format. Despite having a clean slate heading into the second Test, I do not see the home side ending their awful run against India. 

KL Rahul (82) and Devdutt Padikkal (167) were the big scorers in India's first innings, while Manav Suthar (4/76 and 6/55) took 10 wickets in the match. While India did not look like they were at their best, they were still far too strong for Sri Lanka. 

While Padikkal took the headlines as player of the match, Rishabh Pant (39 and 66) played two defiant innings that saw the unconventional batter hit the bowlers off their lines as he looked for quick runs. The opposition clearly finds bowling at Pant difficult, with his 360-degree hitting not just confined to the shorter formats. I back Pant to continue to give Sri Lanka's bowlers issues as he looks to accelerate the scoring rate when he is at the crease.