'It's very important to win the next Test because…': Madan Lal on Team India

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Visiting Team India emerged victorious by 165 runs at the Galle International Cricket Stadium near Galle Fort in the first Test match against Sri Lanka in the two-test series.

Following the victory, former cricketer Madan Lal feels that the win is important for Team India to keep their hopes of sealing a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 final alive.

“It’s very important because you know that if you win every game then you might have a chance. But the important series are coming up against New Zealand and against Australia. But if you keep on winning then you might have a chance, outside chance,” he said.

After concluding the Test series against Sri Lanka, Team India will clash against New Zealand and Australia. The former cricketer says the Test series against the “Black Caps” and the Aussies will be challenging as they are tough teams.

“It’s very important to win the next Test because if you have already won one match and then you win the second, you get a lot of confidence. Then comes the very tough series against New Zealand on their ground and Australia coming here for five Test matches. It won’t be easy as both are very tough teams. But if you keep winning, then your chances remain. You also start believing that yes we can win and qualify,” said Lal.

He also said that the Shubman Gill-led men should focus on winning the second Test match against Sri Lanka.

“Right now it’s not necessary to think about the World Test Championship, but about how to win the next Test, otherwise it will seem like a big mountain,” he added.

The second Test match is scheduled to be played from August 23 at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground in Colombo.

IND vs SL 2nd Test: Full squads

India: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan.

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kamindu Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Nishan Madushka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Dilshan Madushanka, Keshara Nuwantha.

(With ANI Inputs)

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