Wrong Team Selection helps SL to pile up easy runs: Rain, the only saviour for India

I was startled to say the least - India went into this test match with 4 bowlers - Ishant Sharma, looked like a Club bowler, along with the debutant Mithun, and on the spin front, Harbhajan just coming off from a viral flu and along with him the inexperienced Ohja. Is this the Dhoni who said two days back that he is here to win? Probably Dhoni must have wanted to confim that he is not in SL for a honeymoon.


For a moment, I went to a disbelief that this is the team which has captured the World No.1 ranking. But after having to watch the full days play, made me to beleive, that Pakistan, played better  against Asutralia - Yes, I was already seeing lethargy creeping in to the Indian team on the 1st day of the MicroMax Test Match being played at Galle.

The Indian bowling attack defined mediocrity and Sri Lanka bossed it around in style to reach a strong position. Kumar Sangakkara (103) and Tharanga Paranavitana (110*) sealed well-compiled tons as the hosts galloped towards gaining complete control before rains brought an early end to the day's play.

Ishant gave away 42 runs in his 5 overs and was seen straying all over. India's cause did not help either with 2 hard chances and 1 let off by the skipper himself. Paranavitana and Sangakarra took advantage of this situation and made a great partnership which was woth 181 runds for the 2nd wicket. 

What stood out was the ease with which Paranavitana and Sangakkara progressed. It appeared as though they were having a net session. India's weak bowling attack was further handicapped by Harbhajan Singh's ailment. He hobbled away during the second session and, though he returned to bowl later, was still suffering from the after effects of the injury and illness that threatened his presence in the team. He hardly looked his best and once again disappeared into the pavilion in the final session.


Without Harbhajan in his element, India's attack lacked bite, inspiration and skill, which was reflected in the lines bowled. Pragyan Ojha pinged the middle-and-leg line with a backward short leg and short leg in place. Often, he slipped the ball outside leg. While Paranavitana swept and worked him behind square leg, Sangakkara backed away to cut from middle stump. Never did it seem that he was taking any undue risk.

Even just on one day 1, there were couple of other moments that indicated perhaps the course of the Test.  Muttiah Muralitharan, eight wickets short of 800, wouldn't have missed either sign.

As indicated in my earlier column, had Irfan Pathan been drafted into the side, the Indian's could have opted for 3 spinners and discounted for 1 batsman. But still, why was Munaf kept in the sidelines, after repeated failuers from Ishant Sharma in the tour opener, is a question that Dhoni & Kristen would need to answer. I am sure Dhoni would have already missed the services of Amit Mishra in this match. To me, Ohja is an effective ODI bowler and nothing beyond that. Rain is the only saviour for India now, as SL is in complete control of this match.