The 3 test series between India and Sri Lanka finished with equal honors to both the teams. Sri Lanka won the first test quite convincingly. India salvaged a draw in the second test and then managed to squeeze a win in the third test with a solid fourth innings chase.
If a saturation of constant India-Sri Lanka encounters was not enough, the lifeless Sri-Lankan pitches ensure a dull and boring series. Matches here are more or less finalized at the toss itself. The best time to bat here is on the first & second day. For the Team loosing the toss only two results are possible. Either loose the match or manage a draw. Yes, India being an exception in the last test thanks to VVSs’ extra special innings.
Both the country boards have ensured that test cricket dies a slow death. Playing in such pitches is harming the quality of Sri Lankan cricket.
Talking of Indian performances – Sehwag, Sachin, Raina, Laxman were all outstanding with Bat. Sadly nothing to note for the bowlers. It would be foolish anyways on ourselves to expect any miracles from them on these lifeless pitches. Not a great debut series for Abhimanyu Mithun. Though he bowled well with his limitations cannot see him go much further in test matches . Harbhajan was a big disappointment. 2 Wickets in 120 odd overs. I think too much of T20 is harming his bowling. India’s bowling attack was weak the entire series. Wondered why Praveen Kumar or Ashish Nehra was not selected if Zaheer was injured. Ishant bowled well as the series progressed. That is a sign of encouragement for us. Not much to write about Ojha and Mishra though. Ojha though managed 7 wickets in the Third test on a turning track. He was ordinary in the other two tests
Sachin was the leading run scorer for India in this series with 378 Runs and an average of 78 with a double hundred to his credit. Sehwag was not far behind with 348runs with two hundreds and a 99. Ojha was the leading wicket taker for India with 9 Wickets (7 of them in the last test.
How can i not mention about Laxman's match winning innings at the third Test. It has to be one of his greatest innings. All of us know how difficult it is to bat on a fifth day pitch all the more so if its on a Sri Lankan soil. Also VVS ensured he stayed till the end to see India thru. What makes me worry is India's dependence on their old war horses even now. It was refreshing to see Raina shape up. Hopefully we have found one of the replacements to the Fab Four. Got a long way to go though. Hatsoff to him to grab the little oppurtunity he got.Sehwag was deservingly awarded the Man of the Series for his performances both with the bat and ball
Over to the ODIs now. Not overtly excited about its prospects. More than a battle between the teams it’s more of a struggle for the team chasing under the lights.
