India Overrun

Defeat is acceptable, the appalling lack of any kind of fighting spirit is not. To say India were comprehensively outplayed would still be understating things to a great extent. It was a thrashing - the kind of thrashing from which India have little or no chance of recovering. Discounting the minnows, this is probably the worst bowling line-up in international cricket at the moment. Mithun is 1 test old and should be encouraged. The others have a lot to answer for. On the same wicket on which Murali & Herath looked so threatening, the Indians could hardly muster a whimper.

The batting was not much better. The much famed batting line-up crumbled like a house of cards under pressure. Sehwag & Tendulkar (in the second innings) apart, the others got everything wrong. The entire approach was incorrect and that was perhaps what was most disappointing. After India failed to avoid the follow on, Gambhir played another loose shot to get himself out. Second time in the same match - no lessons learnt. Dravid walked in with a whole host of expectations resting on his normally broad shoulders. Dravid's approach though was mystifying, though, not unexpected. Many a time in pressure situations the Indians seem to go into a shell. Yes it was important to bat time, but it was just as important to score runs. Tendulkar has also been guilty of going into a shell from time to time in the past. But this time he got it right. He refused to let the bowlers settle and was always on the lookout for scoring opportunities. When he did get out, he got out to a genuinely good delivery. Dravid's approach, however, was to stonewall. Given the amount of time that was left in the game, the approach was never going to work.

Nothing was expected from Yuvraj Singh and after a stroked filled half century in the first innings, normal service seems to have been resumed. Nevertheless, the first innings half century has probably cemented his test place for the next two years!

VVS batted well but really needs to re-think his strategy when batting with the tail. No risks are taken, and invariably the first ball of the over is punched into the many gaps left purposely unplugged by the opposing captain, and the single taken, leaving the tailender to negotiate the rest of the over.

India go into the next test having been outplayed in every department. A massive improvement is needed if India even hope to compete in the next test at Colombo. Barring a miracle, though, expect, weather permitting, another comfortable win for SL.