India sends a sorry Sri Lankan side into oblivion
After what has already been a tough tour for Sri Lanka, their T20 series could not have started off worse.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl on a good surface may not have been the worse decision when taking into account the dew factor on the ball in the second innings. So far so good for Sri Lanka, that they had taken the somewhat correct approach to this game. However, a severe lack of application and at times some poor bowling allowed India to cruise to a compelling score of 3/180 in Cuttack.
With Sri Lanka more concerned about the 'dew factor' they looked as if they had forgotten about the batting aspect of their second innings as they were shot out for 87 against the hosts. Sri Lanka has equalled the second lowest T20 international score in history, and it seems that the team after what was a dissapointing tour the UAE and now India, has discovered another all-time low.
Credit to the Indian bowlers who have been absolutely ruthless throughout this tour and to some extent have shown no mercy. This may be a testimony to the formidable side that India is becoming but it can also be referred to the lack of inspiration coming from the Sri Lankan dressing room. There appears to be no hunger in the side, their body language and intent seems to be all but disappeared and it at times can look like 11 very ghostly figures taking the field.
It seems at this stage that Sri Lanka cannot find another Sangakarra, a Jayasuria, a Jayawardene or a Ranatunga to lift the side. There have been glimpses of hope for Sri Lanka, but they cannot carry the momentum. Seeing India begging on their knees in the first ODI at 7/29, I thought this could be the rise of Sri Lanka after so much adversity, but again they cannot carry the momentum. I guess that is also the trait of an in-form side. The ability for a team that has lost momentum to quickly change the course of the series in one's favour. And that is certainly what India has shown.
I have no doubt that Sri Lanka is better than this and I hope that with all the adversity that they are going through as a side, that they will come out with a better mindset and hunger. Whereas, India has shown throughout this tour that it is all too easy, but their real challenge will be up against South Africa where they will be really tested on their so-called 'invincible' form.
Winning the toss and electing to bowl on a good surface may not have been the worse decision when taking into account the dew factor on the ball in the second innings. So far so good for Sri Lanka, that they had taken the somewhat correct approach to this game. However, a severe lack of application and at times some poor bowling allowed India to cruise to a compelling score of 3/180 in Cuttack.With Sri Lanka more concerned about the 'dew factor' they looked as if they had forgotten about the batting aspect of their second innings as they were shot out for 87 against the hosts. Sri Lanka has equalled the second lowest T20 international score in history, and it seems that the team after what was a dissapointing tour the UAE and now India, has discovered another all-time low.
Credit to the Indian bowlers who have been absolutely ruthless throughout this tour and to some extent have shown no mercy. This may be a testimony to the formidable side that India is becoming but it can also be referred to the lack of inspiration coming from the Sri Lankan dressing room. There appears to be no hunger in the side, their body language and intent seems to be all but disappeared and it at times can look like 11 very ghostly figures taking the field.
It seems at this stage that Sri Lanka cannot find another Sangakarra, a Jayasuria, a Jayawardene or a Ranatunga to lift the side. There have been glimpses of hope for Sri Lanka, but they cannot carry the momentum. Seeing India begging on their knees in the first ODI at 7/29, I thought this could be the rise of Sri Lanka after so much adversity, but again they cannot carry the momentum. I guess that is also the trait of an in-form side. The ability for a team that has lost momentum to quickly change the course of the series in one's favour. And that is certainly what India has shown.I have no doubt that Sri Lanka is better than this and I hope that with all the adversity that they are going through as a side, that they will come out with a better mindset and hunger. Whereas, India has shown throughout this tour that it is all too easy, but their real challenge will be up against South Africa where they will be really tested on their so-called 'invincible' form.
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