MUMBAI: Having laid to rest doubts that their batsmen’s ability to dominate in spin-friendly conditions has eroded on way to a comprehensive win last week at Galle, India enter the second Test against Sri Lanka starting in Colombo on Sunday as favourites.India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, second left, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, right, captain Shubman Gill, second right, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar interact during a practice session ahead of the second Test cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, in Colombo. (PTI)To keep India’s goal of staying in contention for a place in the World Test Championship final going, getting a positive result in the first game of the two-Test series was an important step. The job is, however, only half done. Unless they can back it up with another win at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club ground, it will be a waste of last week’s fine effort.But Test wins do not come easy. India had to fight hard for it in Galle too before they eventually won by 165 runs on the final day. Going into the second game, the challenge is to maintain the same intensity and focus throughout the game.As India try to secure a clean sweep, they will derive confidence from a fine all-round show in the series opener.India have not lost to Sri Lanka since 2015, the record mainly built on accomplished players Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and R Ashwin. Last week’s win was different and difficult for the home side to take simply because it was powered by two young players, Devdutt Padikkal and Manav Suthar, in the post Kohli Test era. The emergence of the two was a big takeaway for India from the game. Benefitting from batting first in Galle, Padikkal made 167 and provided his team with a 178-run lead. Left-arm spinner Suthar used it beautifully to pick up 10 wickets and seal a comfortable victory.It’s not just about the runs, it’s the impact you have. Padikkal, having seamlessly slipped into the No.3 role, gives the top order an intimidating look. Even after getting a hundred, the 26-year-old showed his appetite for big runs in only his third Test, converting it into a big score. The way he dominated in the second innings on way to 44 as India set a target was also great to watch.As a senior pro, KL Rahul is taking extra responsibility and providing solidity at the top. He laid the platform for India to build their innings with a composed 82 in the first innings, backing it with a fluent 35 in the second.His opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal looked in excellent touch in the first innings before being run out after an unfortunate mix-up. Skipper and No.4 Shubman Gill missed out on runs but the bounce of the SSC pitch will be to the liking of the elegant stroke player. Rishabh Pant is looking as effective as he has been in Tests, making a difference with a brisk 66 in the second innings.The only concern is Dhruv Jurel. He will get a chance ahead of Sarfaraz Khan for scoring a first innings fifty, but the keeper being played as a specialist batter will have to show more consistency and score bigger runs to seal a permanent spot.SKILFUL SUTHARIn the twin series failures at home, against South Africa and New Zealand, spin bowling had proved to be India’s weak link. It is still early days, and there are huge shoes to fill, but Suthar has done well in the two Tests he has played. At Galle, he was outstanding, excelling with his classical bowling style. Even if the SSC pitch proves better for batting, Suthar will pose a threat with his art of deceiving the batters in the air. He has formed a good partnership with senior left-armer, Ravindra Jadeja. The Colombo game will be another opportunity to prove that he is worthy of taking over the baton of spin spearhead from R Ashwin.Kuldeep Yadav’s form though is a concern. The chinaman bowler didn’t have a big game in the first Test. The fifth day pitch at the Galle stadium was abrasive enough to weave his magic. But the left-arm wrist spinner had average figures of 11-0-38-0. He took only one wicket in the first innings.In comparison, Jadeja and Suthar jointly bowled 46.4 overs and shared 14 wickets.Teams do not like to disturb the winning combination, but Saransh Jain could merit a discussion, whether to play him in place of Kuldeep. Given the number of left-handers in the home side, having an off-spinner would be an advantage. However, from a long term perspective, persisting with Kuldeep is important.SL’S TOP ORDER WOESThe Colombo game offers Sri Lanka a chance to hit back, provided they have learned their lessons from the defeat. Some hard questions need to be addressed, and the top order woes must be fixed.Their batters showed some resilience in the first innings. Sonal Dinusha was excellent in both innings, scoring 100 and 84.Roshan Dickwella made 80 in the first innings and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva scored 59 in the second. But Lanka will need the top order to provide better support to the middle-order. The injury setbacks – first-choice batters Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka are missing and the experienced Dinesh Chandimal suffered a concussion in Galle – adds to their woes.Their main challenge again will be to counter India’s left-arm duo Jadeja and Suthar.