5 talking points of India vs Sri Lanka

It’s very rare that a team that has been ahead for 3 days in a test match that lasted only 3 and a half days ends up on the losing side. But believe it or not, that is what happened in the first test match of the Cricbuzz Cup between India and Sri Lanka.

Courtesy of some exceptional bowling from the Sri Lankan spinners, India were bundled out for 112 in the fourth innings, chasing just 175. Here are the 5 talking points of the 1st test.

1) Kohli dismissal led to batting collapse

India were going well in the first innings when both Shikhar Dhawan and skipper Virat Kohli were at the crease. From 28 for 2 when India were in a spot of bother, these two stitched together a crucial partnership and took India out of danger.

The score was 255 when Kohli got out playing a rash sweep, just after he got his 100. India were in a formidable position leading by 72 runs and should have capitalized on it but the batting collapsed. Barring Wriddhiman Saha, everybody else found it difficult out there and India were eventually bowled out for 375.

Had the lead been extended to anywhere between 250 and 300, we would be hearing a different story altogether.

2) Should DRS be made mandatory?

India have been ignoring DRS at their own peril. They have lost matches in the past due to bad umpiring decisions which could have been rectified if the Decision Review System was in place. Today was no different.

India could have won yesterday if the two decisions involving Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirmanne went in their favor. Another future possibility in order to reduce the errors is if the third umpire can also correct any on-field mistakes made by the umpires. Maybe the ICC could think about tweaking the rules and using the third umpire more often to reduce the errors.

3) Counter attacking batting by Dinesh Chandimal

Nobody expected Sri Lanka to even make India bat again, let alone winning the match after being 95 for 5. This young lad, who is already being called the future “Mahela Jayawardene” came out and just started hitting the ball all around the park, played the sweep with expertise and also became unconventional at certain times playing the reverse sweep and throwing the bowlers off their line and length. Chandimal even hit Harbhajan for a six playing the reverse sweep.

The 2nd session on the third day saw Sri Lanka scoring over 5 runs in an over, courtesy of Chandimal. He remained not out on 162 as Sri Lanka ended at an impressive score of 367.

4) Failure of top order of both the teams

The No. 1, 2 and 3 comprise of the top order who have the responsibility of seeing off the new ball so that it becomes easier for the coming batsman. With the exception of Shikhar Dhawan, none of the top order from both the teams were able to score big.

The Sri Lankan openers contributed to just 14 runs combined in both innings to Sri Lanka’s cause. For India too, KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma were disappointing. Some slack can be cut for Rahul, but questions against Rohit Sharma should be raised considering his place in the team. Even Ishant Sharma batted longer than him. It will be a surprise if Rohit is not replaced by Pujara in the next match.

5) Defensive approach by the Indians chasing the target

This is something that we don’t normally see from Indians. Chasing a small target, India should have played their natural game from the start of the fourth innings but instead were bogged down. They should have taken a leaf out of Chandimal’s book about how he put Ashwin and co. under pressure by being rather quick and unconventional.

India were 34 for 3 after 19 overs, going under 2 runs per over. Although, no credit should be taken away from Sri Lankan bowlers, but Indians could have played Kaushal and Herath differently. As a result, Herath destroyed India with some help from Kaushal and Sri Lanka emerged victorious by 63 runs.