INDIA WINS THE ONE-DAY SERIES

India won the 5 match one-day series 3-2 against Srilanka. This is India’s first bilateral one-day series win in Srilanka.

Excellent Pace Bowling

Zaheer Khan, Praveen Kumar and Munaf Patel were excellent throughout the series. Their bowling actually sealed this series for India. They utilized the conditions very well both at Dambulla and Premadasa. I am very pleased with Munaf’s performances. He had infact improved his fielding.

Consistent Dhoni

India was devoid of in-form Sehwag in this series with the injury. Gambhir, the other in-form batsman, and Yuvraj were certainly out of order in this series. Dhoni took the responsibility and lead from the front. His one-day credentials were never in question. He was ably supported by Suresh Raina in couple of games and Rohit Sharma and Badrinath in a game each. I hope Badri get adequate chances. Virat Kohli was also consistent in this series. It was debut series for the under-19 World Cup winning captain and he got good starts in almost all matches. The thing is he should convert his good starts into good scores.

Worrying Factor

The only worrying factor is form of Irfan Pathan. He is the one player who can give balance to the side. Unfortunately he is struggling with his bowling. Praveen Kumar is performing very well with the new ball in helpful conditions. In international arena his batting has never exploded. Lack of a decent all-rounder will hurt India in some time in the future. Either Irfan has to strike form with the ball or Praveen has to showcase his mettle with the bat.

LANKANS WINS THE TEST SERIES

Srilanka defeated India by 8 wickets in the third and final Test match at Colombo Saravanamuttu Stadium to win the series 2-1.

SCORECARD: India vs Srilanka, III Test, Colombo (Saravanamuttu), 2008.

Out-of-form Fab4

The fab4 failed miserably in this Test series. Their failure heavily affected India’s fortunes in the series. Had any one of them scored a century in the first innings of the deciding third Test, the result would have been in India’s favor. Dravid’s effort in the second innings is too late. The opening pair of Sehwag and Gambhir is the leading scorers for India in this Test series. Gambhir should learn to take responsibility when he is on song. To become great one should contribute and show more resolve when team needs the most.

Ineffective Spinners

Kumble was ineffective for last few series. Even Harbhajan was effective only for the last match. Pacer Ishant Sharma’s injury at wrong time did affect India, but that cannot be said as excuse for India’s poor bowling performances. Batting collapse in the first innings and failure of bowlers to rise to the occasion cost India the match and series.

Brilliant Sangakkara

Sangakkara is having great last few years. He is making most of his good form. He came good when his side needed him the most in the first innings of deciding match. His knock in the first innings is also one of the big factors responsible for the eventual series result. Is he the greatest ever Srilankan batsman ahead of Aravinda De Silva? It is an interesting debate. Congrats to Mendis for winning Man-of-the series award in his very first Test series and also for breaking the record for most number of wickets in debut series!

Time to phase-out

It is time to start phasing-out the senior players. I think Kirsten already had discussions with the senior players in that regard. Before thinking about phasing out the seniors let us throw a question. Whether the bench strength is really pushing for a place in the playing XI? If yes, who are the players? Badrinath is the one who is really ready. No more injustice to Badrinath. Let The Almighty give Vengsarkar & co some common sense. Rohit Sharma certainly has a place reserved in the lineup. But as of now he is atleast a season short of hard domestic grind. The weak link and oldest among the fab4 is Ganguly. Badri should come in the place of Ganguly. Meanwhile Ganguly should be allowed to have graceful exit. I also think it is time for Anil Kumble to bid adieu.

INDIA BOUNCE BACK AT GALLE TO SQUARE THE SERIES

SCORECARD: II Test, India vs Srilanka, Galle, 2008

India has come back into this series with a good win against Lankans in the second Test match at Galle. Now the series tied 1-1 with one Test match remaining.

Blazing Sehwag

I would rate his double ton in the first innings as his best ever ahead of his two triples. After Sunil Gavaskar he has become second Indian batsmen to carry his bat through. He followed it up with a fine half-century in the second innings. He has demonstrated that best way to bat against spinners like Murali and Mendis is to stay positive.

Gambhir played beautifully in both the innings. I hope he will covert his good starts into big hundreds like his Delhi team-mate. The most delighting thing I have noticed about him is the way he shielded struggling Rahul from Mendis by taking majority of strike against him. This is known as playing for team-mates; team spirit. Normally this quality is associated with Rahul himself. I have seen Rahul shielding struggling batsmen form the bowlers in the past, now it is the turn of this great batsman to receive the favor.

Sachin and Rahul came good in the second innings and scored some vital runs for the team. I hope his second innings stint would propel Rahul to play some match winning knocks before he retires.

Indian Bowling

Ajay Jadeja said on NDTV before the start of this Test match that if it is a low or modest scoring match then India would have the edge. His comments reflect that India do well in conditions which aids bowlers to get wickets and it is quite true. Harbhajan bowled well in both the innings of this match. I hope he is consistent atleast from now on. Indian pacers especially Ishant Sharma came good in the second innings. Their performances will reduce the burden of Kumble and Harbhajan.

We have seen India bouncing back immediately form defeats in the recent past. They have done that here also. But they have failed to sustain that upsurge. Next Test match will be a crucial test for India in that regard. Moreover no senior players, except for Sachin and Kumble, have tasted series win in Srilanka. It should motivate them to do well.

HUMILATING LOSS FOR INDIA AT COLOMBO SSC

SCORECARD: I Test, India vs Srilanka, Colombo SSC, 2008
Cobwebs in the mind of Indian Batsmen
The failure of Indian batsmen is more to do with cobwebs in their mind than the brilliance of Murali and Mendis. But one cannot take the credit away from Murali and Mendis. Indian batting line-up considered to be the best players of spin ought to have shown more spines. Dismissal of Sehwag early in both the innings did not help either.
Ineffective Kumble and Harbhajan
In recent years, Kumble and Harbhajan have become less effective. Everyone seems to play them comfortably. The South Africans played them comfortably in the home series. It is time to look beyond them. Zaheer and Ishant bowled well in patches. When I see the economy rates of Srilankan bowlers, they appear stingy. I think Indian bowlers have worst economy rate among the top eight Test playing nations. I have to check it out.
Missed Chances
India dropped many half-chances. Dinesh Karthik dropped two catches; costly misses! His wicket-keeping skill seems to be on descending, whereas Dhoni has improved his wicket-keeping skills by leap and bounds in last one year. He must be smiling from India (“Nobody can’t touch me”) and Parthiv Patel also must be a happy person (“I will be keeping in the next Test match”). The problem with Karthik is his over-enthusiasm. He must concentrate on the present moment. I hope he comes good in next match.
What to do next?
Indian batsmen need to be positive against Murali and Mendis. They need to be focused and not think about too many things. Indian team as a whole appeared with negative mindset in this Test match. None of their referrals went right. Srilankans got almost all their referrals correct. It showed the confidence and mindset of both the teams. Just forget this Test match and go with positive mindset for next match!

PREVIEW OF INDIA SRILANKA TEST SERIES

Lankan Bowling
Muralidharan will be the bigger threat than anyone else. Mendis has got great first class record and is now a hot property due to his exploits in shorter version of the game. But his success in Test cricket remains to be seen. Their pace attack seems lacking some sting now because of the absence of Lasith Malinga. He adds some X-factor to the bowling attack. In Chaminda Vaas they have consistent and reliable opening bowler.

Lankan Batting
Everyone is talking about Murali and Mendis’s potential threat. But Indian team also has to content with strong Lankan batting line-up. Srilankan current batting line-up reminds me something of Indian batting lineup of 2002-03. The similarities are both were looking to settle into a nice batting lineup, their regular success in overseas and their self-belief. They may not be in same class as Indians. In Sangakkara and Jayawardene they have two class batsmen. Jayawardene averages 51.93, Sangakkara 55.19 and Samaraweera 41.98.

Indian Batting
After the Windies tour of 2006 India’s batting fortunes hinges more on collective effort than individual brilliances. They struck regular partnerships which are crucial to build good total. As of late Indian batsmen found wanting against quality spinners and also on slow turning tracks. Srilanka presents both these challenges combined

Indian Bowling
Indian pace bowlers seem to do well in helpful conditions. It also requires some skill. But they found wanting in unhelpful tracks. I hope Zaheer’s presence would help in that regard. I also got a feeling that Anil Kumble and Harbhajan has become less effective in familiar conditions. But both Kumble and Bhajji are fighters. That should help India.

Other Factors
Skills wise India may be on descending because of most of its players are nearing the end of the career and Lankans are on ascending. In recent years India has become a team which depends more on collective effort. Besides batting and bowling catching is also a vital aspect. Though Indian players may not be brilliant in ground fielding they are better catching side. It will be Indians experience and their urge to have one more shot at glory versus Lankans home advantage and their desire of wanting to excel.

SQUAD FOR SRILANKA TEST SERIES

Dhoni Opting Out
There is nothing wrong in Dhoni opting out of the Test series against Srilanka due to fatigue. He is a vital cog in the one-day set up. He is needed for crucial tournaments later this year. Same thing cannot be said about his credentials in Tests. In one-dayers the difference between him and his nearest competitor is huge. But in Test matches I feel Dinesh Karthik is a better wicket-keeper (though his last outing in Test match was horrible) and a better equipped batsman than Dhoni.

Parthiv Patel – Extra Luggage
I don’t know why selectors have selected Parthiv Patel. Is Srilanka far from India as Australia or West Indies? He is better off playing in Emerging Players’ tournament.

Rohit Sharma vs Badrinath vs Yuvraj
I am happy that Rohit Sharma has been recognized as one for future. But I think he is one or two seasons short of First-class experience. Making him play in Emerging Players’ tournament will help in refining his game. Badrinath should have been selected. He has proved himself in domestic cricket and ‘A’ tours. Why step motherly treatment for Badrinath?

I am a great supporter of Yuvraj. He is one of the most talented batsmen. But he has to tighten his game- defence, his game against quality spin, consistency. He can emulate his team mate Sehwag, who relies on his strength and has improved his other areas of the game as well. Yuvi’s time will come.

Munaf Patel
I know most of critics are against Munaf’s inclusion given his fitness record. I feel he should be backed by both the team management and board. We can’t allow a talented bowler like him to be ignored and get wasted. Bowling coach and other support staff must help him in improving the fitness levels and mental aspects. Captain must give him enough confidence.

Ojha vs Chawla
Ojha‘s inclusion is not a bad thing. But dumping Piyush Chawla is certainly a retrograde step.

Gambhir vs Jaffer
I feel Jaffer is still good enough to play the Test matches despite his mediocre showings in recent matches he had played. At the same time one cannot overlook Gambhir’s claim. It is a close call.

Squad
1. Kumble (Captain), 2. Sehwag (Vice-Captain), 3. Gambhir, 4. Rahul, 5. Sachin, 6. Ganguly, 7. Laxman, 8. Rohit Sharma, 9. Dinesh Karthik, 10. Parthiv Patel, 11. Harbhajan, 12. Ojha, 13. Zaheer, 14. Ishant Sharma, 15. RP Singh and 16. Munaf Patel