Seasoned India can now focus on bigger battles ahead
second innings at the Sinhalese Sports Club Test and in the second session of the first day in the third Test, India’s response was swift.In the subcontinent, India are undisputed champions. Their test will start from the South Africa series. Chief selector, MSK Prasad, said: “We’ve been competitive in overseas conditions. Now, we want to take it to the next level and start winning there.”
India had plans ready for Sri Lanka’s key players. Rangana Herath, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga and Dimuth Karunaratne were identified as the threats. Except for Karunaratne, the others were brought down with a clinical execution of plans. The left-handed opener countered India’s tactics, scoring 97 and 141, with the highlight being his battle with R Ashwin.Herath was pushed to the backfoot in the first session of the series with Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan targeting him straightaway. The Indian batsmen neutralised Sri Lankan spinners by using their feet and the safer option of getting to the pitch of the ball.
Sri Lanka adopted a high-risk approach, and took on the spinners with cross-batted shots. The result was capitulation in five of the six innings. Only in the second Test did Kusal Mendis manage to middle all his shots against spinners, racing to a century. At Pallekele, they were again routed by the spin of Kuldeep Yadav and R Ashwin.
India coach Ravi Shastri called his team the best to come to Sri Lanka. But the whitewash must also be put in perspective as it was the weakest Sri Lankan team India played since they first faced them in the early 1980s. Injuries also left Sri Lanka depleted.
The biggest gain of the series was Hardik Pandya. He still needs to add a few skills to be rated as a quality Test bowler, but batting is his forte. He didn’t take much time to showcase his potential, his maiden hundred an impact innings of the series like Shikhar Dhawan’s 190 at Galle.
Dhawan’s stunning comeback adds another dimension to this batting line-up. India now have great options in opening. His flamboyance will be an ideal foil for the technically sound KL Rahul and Murali Vijay. The No 3, 4 and 5 are settled with Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane.
Virat Kohli’s ability to keep his men on their toes also shone through. India were up and down on the field in the home series against Australia, but here the skipper was relentless. Even when the team was in control, he wouldn’t accept a misfield.
During the second Test, Shikhar Dhawan looked slightly lethargic at mid-on. A couple of balls later, Kohli signalled to him to switch places with Hardik Pandya.