Kandy: Test match is all about temperament and the present Sri Lanka side showed that they lack it in totality as they went down to India by an innings and 171 runs at the International Stadium here Monday. It was capitulation at its worse with none of the Sri Lankan batters showing the gumption to fight it out in the middle.
India thus created a record of sorts completing an away sweep for the first time in their cricketing history. The only other time they had won three Tests abroad was in 1967-68, when they beat New Zealand 3-1. But then this 3-0 scoreline is a tad more impressive keeping in mind the way they have dominated the series. The margins of victories have been frightfully big – 304 runs, an innings and 53 runs and now inside three days by an innings of 171 runs.
There will be plenty of discussions about the quality of the present Sri Lankan side. But make no mistake, such has been the dominance of the Indians in the series that even a stronger outfit would have found it difficult to tackle this formidable team.
The last day once more demonstrated how, India have developed as a bowling force – of the nine wickets to fall on the day as Sri Lanka folded for a paltry 181 in their second innings – seven were divided between Ravi Ashwin (4/68) and Mohammed Shami (3/32). All these years, spin have been considered India’s main strength. Not so anymore.
The trio of Shami, Umesh Yadav (2/21) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (whenever he has got the opportunity) have always chipped in wickets in all conditions. This is indeed a good sign as India will no more be pushovers when they begin their campaigns abroad later this year and the season to follow.
The only period when Sri Lanka looked like offering some resistance was when skipper Dinesh Chandimal (36, 89b, 4×4) and his predecessor Angelo Mathews (35, 96b, 2×4, 1×6) defended dourly for a little over 27 overs after the side had been reduced to 39 for four within the first hour of play. But then they were always up against it as the Indian bowlers probed away incessantly, never allowing any batsmen a minute of relief.
On days when the ball leaves the hand of Ashwin, the perfect way, there is very little the batsmen can do. The loop, the trajectory, the dart off the pitch makes him a fearsome proposition. Ashwin now has added a few more varieties to his repertoire, the leg spin, the faster one and on sub-continent pitches he simply destroys the opposition.
Shami turned out to be the perfect foil for him. The Bengal pacer became the cynosure of the commentators and time and again the TV cameras zoomed close to the deliveries to focus on the upright seam position. Shami bowled that perfect length and line Monday, the area the batsmen call the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ where they can neither go forward or back – an art that the great Australian Glenn McGrath perfected.
The writing was always on the wall once Dimuth Karunaratne was dismissed in the first Ashwin over caught at slip by Ajinkya Rahane. Two more quick wickets and suddenly Sri Lanka were four down with next to nothing on board.
Chandimal and Mathews defended dourly for some time. Both cut out the sweep shot trying to play as down the ‘V’ as much as possible.
However, 8.3 overs after lunch Chandimal trying to flick the other Yadav in the team, Kuldeep, got cramped for space and the resultant inside edge was easily pouched by Cheteshwar Pujara at short-leg. Ashwin then had Mathews plumb in front with one that straightened and it was all over bar the shouting for the hosts.
Nirosan Dickewella (41, 52b, 5×4) delayed the losing cause, but Shami and Ashwin then polished off the tail quickly.
Agencies