The duration of the first Test between Sri Lanka and India at Galle lasted for just four days. India gave the hosts a whopping target of 550 to chase down within one and half days and an injured Sri Lankan unit failed to fight back as they digested yet another humiliating defeat. As the Kohli-Sahstri combination celebrated, the Lankan camp was found depressed and out of words.
Transitional periods are always tough to counter and when it prolongs, the confidence of a unit starts to ebb away gradually. This Sri Lankan unit’s confidence seems to be at its lowest ebb and moreover, it seems, lady luck frustrating them as well. On day 1, they lost one of their vital performers, Asela Gunaratne and reduced to ten men and the injury of Rangana Herath undermined their fighting spirit even more. At times, during such a transition period, a team needs a bit of luck as well.
Amid the disaster, Sri Lanka can take some positives from Galle ahead of the second Test.
Nuwan Pradeep’s vim
Rangana Herath found it tough to test the Indian batsmen. Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and the lower order used their feet excellently to neutralize Herath who was left dumbfounded. Either the Indian batsmen came out of the crease to disturb the length or went back and played it late to fetch runs in plenty against the ace spinner.
Lahiru Kumara and Dilruwan Perera digested meaty blows, but one man kept running in defying the sultry weather of Galle, pitched it full and at times banged in short with decent pace to test the Indian batters. While bowling round the wicket, he was able to take the ball away from left handers but he received little support from the slip fielders. Then, he bounced out Virat Kohli with a well-directed bouncer in the first innings.
The humidity at Galle rose, but Pradeep hardly lost his vim. He fetched six Indian wickets and nine of the Indian wickets were grabbed by the pace bowlers in first innings.
This is where the Sri Lankan think tank can build a plan for the second Test by investing more faith in their pace bowlers. It was evident at Galle, the Indian batting lineup cannot be tamed by spinners and in that sense, it would be better to let the pace bowlers lead the attack. And Sri Lanka should shun the idea of preparing tracks suited for spinners and keep more bounce and movement on the track.
Pradeep’s never say die spirit can be used in a more productive way in the upcoming Test matches.
Dilruwan Perera's bold display
The Sri Lanka, reply in the first innings was less-spirited. None of the top order batsmen were able to stitch a stable partnership to frustrate the Indian spinners. But Dilruwan Perera showed how to bat with the right attitude.
He took calculated risks and when the situation demanded, he defended the Indian spinners like a top order batsman. Against the dangerous Ravichandran Ashwin, Perera’s foot work was exemplary while against Ravindra Jadeja’s nagging and incisive line and length, he decided to slog sweep.
He remained not out for 92 and conveyed the message, he could be used as a very good option as a lower-order bowling allrounder. As a bowler, he is good and always has that nag to give his hundred percent even if he struggles to fetch wickets. Such sort of characters can be highly productive while regrouping a team during the transition phases.
Dimuth Karunaratne’s patience and Niroshan Dickwella’s courage
Dimuth Karunaratne and Niroshan Dickwella raised the hopes of a brilliant fight back with their inspiring partnership on day 4. Karunaratne decided to dig deep and left and defended deliveries to occupy the crease like a monk. According to CricViz, Karunaratne missed or edged 10% of his deliveries he faced in fourth innings.
Meanwhile, Dickwella kept the scoreboard ticking. He mastered the sweep shot very well and according to CricvViz, Sri Lanka played ten sweep shots and five of them were executed by Dickwella. Then there were those inside-out and dabs with an opened face.
Ultimately, Dimuth and Niroshan could not resist further. Dimuth was dismissed for 97 and his average in fourth innings now is 42.14 which is way better than first innings’ 27.32. Dickwella scored an impulsive 67 as the fifth wicket stand of 101 was the only time when India had to worry otherwise, it was a forgone conclusion.
Dimuth’s patience and Dickwella’s bold display can be a motivating factor for others who failed to exhibit the ideal temperament and surrendred meekly.
At this moment, Sri Lanka desperately need a spirited display to instill self-belief within the team and it can only happen if they plan perfectly and use their available resources in the right way.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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