India won the second Test match by an innings and 144 runs against Srilanka to lead the 3-match series 1-0. Incidentally this was India’s 100th Test victory.
Scorecard: India vs Srilanka, 2nd Test, 2009, Kanpur
Toss Factor & Poor Display by Lankans
Sadly, this Test match happened to be decided by the toss. Win the toss, bat first, score 500 odd runs and bowl out the opposition twice. This was the routine followed in this match. Having said that, it was a poor all-round display by Srilankans. Lankan bowlers did not make Indian batsmen toil for runs. M&M (Murali & Mendis) magic was missing in this series so far. They even do not look like producing a decent performance. Moreover, they are playing with only one genuine pace bowler. A specialist pace bowler should have played instead of Angelo Matthews. They did drop Sehwag in the very first over and it cost them very dearly. They did not bat well either. The pressure of 600 runs got to them and they succumbed to the pressure.
Run Feast by Indian Batsmen
Sehwag and Gambhir produced a double-century partnership at a brisk pace that is very good for even one-dayers. Sehwag scored more than run a ball century. Meanwhile Gambhir scored centuries in four consecutive Test matches, which equaled the Indian record, by scoring 167 runs in the first innings. Then Rahul Dravid followed up with his 28th century and in the process crossed Allan Border to become 4th highest run-getter in Test Cricket history. Laxman and Yuvraj also chipped in with half-centuries each.
Sreesanth Show
First of all selection of Sreesanth in the Test squad surprised me. Then his performance of 5-wicket haul really surprised me. Everyone knew that he has a great potential. He can swing the ball either way, though his stock delivery is the one which moves away from right-handers. I hope he concentrates only on his cricket and not on any other antics. His first-class bowling average of 32.16 suggests that he is not consistent despite his potential. I hope he improves on that aspect as well. Meanwhile, Ojha made an impressive debut. But I must say that Amit Mishra was hard done and should be given another chance. As long as Ojha is performing and India winning nobody will complain.
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