India, Aug. 22 -- 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.

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...