India set for trial by spin in Sri Lanka series opener

GALLE, AUG 13: An inexperienced India missing several key players face Sri Lanka in Galle from Saturday in the first of two Tests with coach Gautam Gambhir under immense pressure.
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, spinner Washington Sundar and batter Sai Sudharsan are all out injured for the visitors, who have eight wins and 10 defeats in 20 Tests under Gambhir.
India suffered a 2-0 home defeat to South Africa in November and are fifth in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, with their opponents sixth.
Shubman Gill's side have handed maiden call-ups to spinner Saransh Jain and fast bowler Auqib Nabi, who has impressed in domestic cricket with 60 wickets in the season.
Veteran Ravindra Jadeja will lead a spin attack on a turning Galle pitch that also includes Kuldeep Yadav and Manav Suthar.
"The two-match series in Sri Lanka won't be easy as Sri Lanka at home are a formidable team," former captain Sunil Gavaskar wrote in the magazine Sportstar.
"Winning both these Tests would be a good start to the new Test season, as well as give the team the impetus it needs to qualify for the WTC final."    �"AFP