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De Silva Asks Sri Lanka's Bowlers to Improve Before Colombo Test

Man speaking into a microphone with shallow depth of field
Photo by Rohingya Creative Production on Unsplash

Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva has urged his fast bowlers to improve their performance ahead of the second Test against India in Colombo. He said the bowlers need to 'raise their game a little bit.'

India currently leads the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test. A victory in Colombo would give India a full 2-0 sweep of the series.

Two of India's top batters, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, struggled in the opening Test. Both players will be hoping to bounce back with stronger performances in the second match.

There is also some uncertainty about India's bowling lineup. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav may miss out on selection for this Test, though the final team is yet to be confirmed.

For Sri Lanka, improving the pace bowling attack could be key to competing with India and avoiding a series sweep. De Silva's comments suggest the team is looking closely at ways to challenge India's strong batting order.

The Colombo Test will be an important match for both sides. India will look to seal a dominant series win, while Sri Lanka will aim to fight back and salvage some pride on home soil.

Vocabulary5 words

fast bowlers
players who throw the cricket ball very quickly
series
a set of matches played between two teams
2-0 sweep
winning both matches in a two-match series
bounce back
to recover and perform well after doing badly
bowling lineup
the group of players chosen to bowl in a match

Quiz

1. What is the current score in the India-Sri Lanka series?
2. Which two Indian batters are looking to bounce back?
3. True or False: Kuldeep Yadav's place in the team is uncertain for the Colombo Test.

Fill-in-the-blank listening

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva has urged his fast bowlers to _____ their performance ahead of the second Test against India in Colombo.

India currently leads the two-match series _____ after winning the first Test. A victory in Colombo would give India a full 2-0 sweep of the series.

Two of India's top _____, Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal, struggled in the opening Test.

Both players will be hoping to _____ with stronger performances in the second match.

There is also some _____ about India's bowling lineup. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav may miss out on selection for this Test.

For Sri Lanka, improving the pace bowling _____ could be key to competing with India.

India will look to seal a _____ series win, while Sri Lanka will aim to fight back.

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