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 ...

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Disappointing Sri Lanka succumb to Indian second string – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE  Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka started 2023 with an embarrassing loss to India’s second string side in Mumbai. The Asia Cup triumph seems a long time ago as the struggling Lankans were made to look less than second rate throwing growing concerns about the country’s progress since the T20 World Cup in Australia where they were booted out of the competition before the quarter finals.  India, without skipper Rohit Sharma,  Virat Kohli, K.L Rahul,  Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shammi and Arshdeep Singh,   exposed the Sri Lankan frailties and lack of consistency to rout the hapless visitors without too much effort.  It also underlined India’s tremendous depth to keep them among the forerunners of the game while the minnows find emerging talent hard to unravel.  New pace sensation Shivam Mavi dismantled Sri Lanka’s experienced batting claiming a sensational ...

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