Off field issues appear to weigh down Lankans as India grab unassailable lead – By TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE
Sri Lanka changed tactics and batted first but the batters crumbled once more and the result was no different. India, set a meagre 215, made short work of the target to comfortably win with 41 balls to spare and grab an unassailable 2-0 lead.
It’s been a dreary sequence of events for the troubled Sri Lankans whose on field blues appear to have off field issues to deal with as well. And if this is the reason for their shabby display there’s plenty to be done to get their mindset back on track. And that’s not going to happen midtour or anytime soon after it.
Although the horse has bolted in terms of the series, Sri Lanka need to find a way to regroup hurriedly if they want to return home with something to savour.
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Allegations and innuendo appears to be dogging the squad on tour on matters unrelated to Cricket and this is an unnecessary distraction that could have been dealt with when they returned home whether relevant or not.
So with a dead rubber next, Sri Lanka’s batters need to wake up to themselves and quite honestly question their right to represent their country against quality opposition. On face value, they certainly do not.
The bowlers with the welcome inclusion of Lahiru Kumara showed they can defend a reasonable target but less than 250 in 50 overs at the pacy Eden Gardens was definitely a gettable target for the strong Indian batting line-up. But their batters crumbled once more when challenged, making the bowlers task herculean.
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Sri Lanka’s batters need to wake up to themselves and have a serious soul searching about their worthiness to represent their country. Apart from skipper Dasun Shanaka and perhaps two others, the rest need to question their commitment and resolve in a team struggling for consistency and stability against quality opposition such as India.
If there was a glimmer of hope, it came in the form of debutante opener Nuwanindu Fernando who was a rushed replacement for prolific opener Pathum Nissanka who was withdrawn with a back complaint before the game.
The lanky youngster batted with poise and maturity to give Sri Lanka another option as they struggle to unearth promising log term talent. He stroked a fluent half century laced with 6 fours before being unfortunately run out.
With Kusal Mendis Nuwanandu Fernando posted 73 for the third wicket raising a glimmer of hope of a Sri Lanka contest. It never eventuated as the rest fell in a procession and they were bowled out in 39 overs.
India found good tandem between their pace- spin attack that never let the Lankans establish a decent partnership after the early resistance. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav and paceman Mohamed Sriraj grabbed three wickets apiece to skittle the Lankans giving their batters an easy run chase.
Yadav’s contribution included the prized scalp of Sri Lanka’s skipper Dasun Shanaka who self destructed by walking across his stumps trying to sweep him to leg and was bowled for two. It ended the visitors hope of posting anything competitive.
India was challenged by the Sri Lankan bowlers but K.L Rahul, 64 off 103 and Hardik Pandiya 36 off 53 steadied the ship to see them home comfortably.
Game three has no significance for the Indians, but something Sri Lanka needs to try to break the dominance of a token return of a disappointing tour.
