TEAM INDIA became the victim of its own hyped speculations about Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan. The prized spinner, who helped Sri Lanka win the Asia Cup, did the same in Colombo. Spin king Muralitharan and debutant Ajantha Mendis demolished the strong batting lineup of India, as Sri Lanka won the first Test by an innings and 239 runs, with a day to spare.
Presence of veteran players Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman could not save Team India from shameful defeat. Indian batsmen bowed down before the Murali–Mendis duo, who took 19 wickets. Man of the Match Muralitharan claimed 11 wickets and got fine support from Mendis who took eight wickets. Team India known for playing well against spin, was looking clueless against Murali and Mendis, and the second innings lasted only 45 overs.
Defeat of India has raised questions about the batting abilities. The pitch looked batting friendly and Sri Lanka scored a mammoth 600 for 6 declared. Four of the Sri Lankan batsmen M Warnapura (115), M Jayawardene (136), T Samaraweera (127) and T Dilshan (125) scored centuries. While batting, Sri Lankan batsmen were never looking in trouble and they tore apart the Indian bowling attack.
Although the Sri Lankan score was huge, but due to the nature of the pitch and long lineup of experienced batsmen it looked achievable. India openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag started the innings in ODI fashion and they scored 36 runs in first five overs. At that time it seemed Gambhir and Sehwag are in good touch, but the latter was caught by Warnapura off Kulasekara.
Fall of Sehwag was the start of India’s dismal show and it continued further till they were shot out for 138 in their second innings. In fact, Indian batsmen looked in hurry and did not focus on staying on the crease. Many of the batsmen got out due to poor shot selection in the first innings – the list included Tendulkar, Ganguly, Gambhir, Sehwag and Karthik. Only VVS Laxman played some sensible cricket and took India’s total past 200 in first innings with good support from Ishant Sharma. Laxman and Sharma added 45 runs for the last wicket and took India’s total to 223 in first innings.
After conceding a lead of 377 on the fourth day, team India started the run chase. Sehwag didn’t learn from the mistake committed in the first innings. The Indian vice captain returned to pavilion scoring only 13 runs. First innings’ top scorer VVS Laxman was promoted in the lineup, but he couldn’t repeat the feat and fell after scoring 21 runs. Once again in the second innings the top order failed and India lost the match.
Sri Lanka scored the biggest win over India in 27 Tests, the previous best was by an innings and 77 runs at the same venue in 2001. India is one down in the three match series. Winning the next match is very important to stay alive in the series. But the performance of senior players has certainly created doubt in the minds of cricket fans and experts alike. Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid and Laxman should think deeply to face the spin duo of Murali and Mendis, because Team India relies on these four top class players.
