SL - India Day 1

Most previews before the game came to the conclusion that it was going to be SL's test series to lose. At the end of day 1, those predictions seem perfectly justified. India might be ranked no1 in tests, but with a bowling line up as toothless as the one currently on display, those rankings are unlikely to last for much longer.

India's first mistake was made even before a ball was bowled. After losing both Zaheer and Sreesanth due to injuries, the think tank should have strengthened the already weak bowling resources. Given the experience of the Indian batting line up, India should have made the bold decision to go in with five specialist bowlers. Having said that, the bowlers at the moment seem so poor that even playing eleven bowlers may not have made too much of a difference. Nevertheless, the chance had to be taken.

SL at home have always been a difficult side to beat. India have not won a series in SL for seventeen long years, and the early signs suggest that the wait may have to be prolonged even further. The only positive on a eminently forgettable day for the Indian bowlers was the fight that was displayed by Abhimanyu Mithun. Mithun troubled both openers early on and was unlucky to not have Dilshan out lbw. He toiled manfully the whole day and in conditions that offer a bit more for the seamers, he might be a handful. Harbhajan was clearly unwell and played only because there are no other options available.

The bowler that disappointed the most was undoubtedly Ishant Sharma. Sharma's stocks have been in free fall since his impressive debut series against Australia two years ago. His pace seems to have disappeared. Every over has a minimum of 2 bad deliveries that were duly dispatched by the batsman. Tragic, it might be, but the time has probably come for Ishant to be left out of the Indian squad for a while atleast. Maybe some time away from the harsh scrutiny of international cricket, will help him re-find the ability that once marked him as a special talent.

Ojha was also largely unimpressive. He bowled a poor line - pitching the ball on middle and leg with the ball turning further towards the on side. The point of bowling this line is completely lost on me. This series is an ideal opportunity for Ojha or Mishra to cement their place in the squad as the second spinner. A performance like this will do Ojha no favors.

If India have any hope of even competing in this series, then I guess that hope lies squarely on the shoulders of Virender Sehwag. If Sehwag has a good series and scores some big runs, it might just put the Sri Lankans under a little bit of pressure. With the bowling line up we have, however, the Sri Lankans are likely to cruise.