Former India opener Virender Sehwag has backed India to wrap up the second Test against Sri Lanka under four days. After having forced to settle for a draw in the first Test at the Eden Gardens, the hosts will aim to clinch the second match at Nagpur's VCA stadium to take the lead in the three-match series.
Taking to India TV on "Cricket ki Baat" show, Sehwag said: "I feel that India will wrap up the second Test match against Sri Lanka in four days. It depends all on the toss as the surface will help the Indian bowlers. Even if we lose the toss."
Sehwag, who is India TV's cricket expert, spoke about Virat Kohli's decision to point out the lack of practice before the Indian team's tour of South Africa.
"Kohli was right to point out that the team hasn't got enough time to prepare for the South Africa tour. They will have two practice matches but if it rains there, their three-day practice match preparation will also go for a toss. If we get there two weeks before the series, the players can familiarise themselves with the wicket and have a few practice sessions to prepare themselves. This is poor planning by the Board, if the Sri Lanka series had to happen, they could have made it shorter for Team India to prepare themselves for the Proteas tour."
The former batsman stated that the players should be involved when the tour planning and fixtures are prepared and also mentioned that players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly used to as for practice sessions before a series could commence.
"We as players feel that the team management and the players should be involved when the fixtures are made. Sachin, Ganguly and Dravid used to ask before a tour and ask for practice". said Sehwag.
Team India will play on different conditions in South Africa and Sehwag feels that the wickets will bounce a lot and as international players, they will have to adapt to the conditions immediately.
"As an international player, the players have to adapt to the condition no matter what the situation is. Some wickets will be different to what team India normally play on as there is a lot of bounce on the pitch in South Africa. Even if we win or lose, the intent of the player should be positive and to give their all on the field. If the players are used to compliments, they should get used to criticism as well".
The Indian skipper has been playing for the team continuously from the start of the year and Sehwag feels that the captain should take a break and hand the responsibility to vice-captain Rohit Sharma as he is sitting idle.
"Virat Kohli should take out time and spend some time with his family. As we have seen before, when MS Dhoni took a break and gave the responsibility to Gautam Gambhir, India didn't lose a match and this time I think that India will not lose to Sri Lanka if Kohli does not play. Rohit Sharma can take on the captaincy role in the skipper's absence".
India have won most of the series since the Champions Trophy. India have won against West Indies, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand and now take on their neighbours Lanka again. Sehwag feels that the Proteas tour will be a tougher challenge for Team India and that they should prepare themselves for criticism as the people are getting ready to pounce on the players when they lose.
"South Africa is an important tour for Team India as the people are waiting for a tougher challenge. Since India hasn't lost a series yet in a while, the people are waiting to criticise the team", concluded Sehwag.
