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

Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva has called on his pace attack to lift their performance ahead of the second Test against India in Colombo, saying the bowlers need to 'raise their game a little bit.'

The comments come with India holding a 1-0 lead in the two-match series after a comprehensive win in the opening Test. A victory in Colombo would allow India to complete a 2-0 sweep, underlining their dominance in the contest.

India's batting lineup, however, has not been without its issues. Both Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal underperformed in the first Test, and there will be added scrutiny on their returns as India seeks a clean sweep in Colombo.

There is also uncertainty surrounding India's squad composition for the second Test, with left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav reportedly at risk of being left out of the playing eleven. Team management has yet to confirm the final lineup.

For Sri Lanka, de Silva's remarks reflect the pressure on the hosts to find a way to disrupt India's rhythm, particularly through a sharper pace bowling effort. The home side will be desperate to avoid a series whitewash and salvage some credibility from the tour.

The Colombo Test represents a pivotal moment for both teams. India will be eager to close out the series with authority, while Sri Lanka's bowlers face the challenge of stepping up against a batting order that, despite recent struggles, remains one of the strongest in world cricket.

As preparations continue, all eyes will be on whether Sri Lanka's fast bowling unit can respond to their captain's call, and whether India's key batters can rediscover form at a crucial stage of the series.