 Colombo: Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat in the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club on July 26.
India, trailing 1-0 in the three-match series, suffered twin blows when opener Gautam Gambhir and middle-order batsman Yuvraj were ruled out of the key match.
Gambhir has a knee injury, while Yuvraj developed high fever overnight. The duo will be replaced by left-hand batsman Suresh Raina, making his Test debut after playing 98 one-day internationals, and opener Murali Vijay.
Sri Lanka changed the entire frontline bowling attack that won them the first Test in Galle on 10 wickets. With Muttiah Muralitharan now retired and fast bowler Lasith Malinga injured, Sri Lanka replaced them with spinner Ajantha Fernando and Dilhara Fernando.
Also out were left-arm spinner Rangana Herath and seamer Chanaka Welegedara. Their places went to debutant off-spinner Suraj Randiv and fast bowler Dammika Prasad.
India cannot afford another slip-up because a 2-0 or 3-0 series scoreline in Sri Lanka's favour will remove Dhoni's men from the perch and lift the hosts to the top spot.
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