India aim to extend dominance

After narrowly missing out on a win in the opening Test at the Eden Gardens, a confident India will be aiming to extend their dominance over Sri Lanka when the two sides face off in the second Test here from Friday.

Inspired by the performance of the fast bowlers in the first Test and keeping in mind the upcoming tour of South Africa early next year, the hosts are once again set to test the Sri Lankans on a fast and green track.

Captain Virat Kohli confirmed reports that team management had ordered fast pitches, instead of the traditional spin-friendly tracks, to get used to South Africa-style conditions.

"Yes, because unfortunately we get only two days before we fly to South Africa after this series is over," Kohli told reporters.

"So we have no choice but to be in game situations and think of what's coming ahead for us... As usual cramped for time, which I think we needed to assess in future as well."

The Indian pace trio of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami shared all the 17 Sri Lankan wickets which fell during the first Test. But with Bhuvneshwar set to tie the knot, he was released from the squad for the remainder of the series.

Pacer Ishant Sharma, a veteran of 77 Tests, looks set to join the pace battery for the series.

Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal called it a "good Test wicket" and backed his top spinner Rangana Herath to come good in Nagpur, after he went wicketless in Kolkata.