SRI LANKA TRI-SERIES - IND VS SRI

Once again, the two neighbours were ready for a clash for the umpteenth time in the past couple of years..It was baffling to see the team management persisting with Jadeja.Perhaps, they need to be reminded that Saurabh Tiwary is not a waterboy!The fact is that India have struggled to find a genuine all rounder in the last couple of decades.
Ganguly and Wright realized this, bringing the seven batsmen policy to the fore.Unless the team management can find a sutiable player to fill in the No.7 spot, i think its time they revert back to the same policy.Even more baffling was to see Dhoni keeping wickets with injured fingers after Sangakkara won the toss even though Karthik was in the team.Anyways, it was a dream start for India as Praveen removed the tentative Upul Tharanga first ball.Nehra should consider himself a bit fortunate to get Sangakkara's wicket who hit a poor delivery straight to the fielder.Samaraweera just gifted his wicket away, following his captain to the pavilion.Dhoni did well to continue with Praveen in the second powerplay as the latter seemed to be in a good rhythm.

Ishant Sharma was the first change bowler.Ishant's biggest weakness after the no-ball problem is the lack of variations in his bowling.He simply bowls short deliveries most of the times, trying to get his height into play.
The time could not be better for Jadeja to get a ball! With Sri Lankans on the mat, the stage was perfectly set for Jadeja.Yet, he bowled fast and into the legs,hardly giving the ball any flight.Kapugedera fell prey to a very soft dismissal and followed the series of Sri Lankan batsmen wanting to spend some more time in the dressing room.With Sri Lankan backs to the wall, Dhoni should certainly have attacked more.Yet, he had a long off and a long on at various stages for Randiv while leaving the slip area vacant.He was too defensive in his approach, allowing the Sri Lankan tailenders some breathing space.Ishant Sharma bowled poorly in his second spell, bowling short and wide deliveries which had "hit me" written all over them and hence, it was completely illogical on part of Dhoni to hand him the 46th over, preserving Praveen Kumar for the last couple of overs!Finally, the Sri Lankan innings folded at 170 though it should have ended way earlier.

As far as fielding is concerned, Indian efforts were not surprising at all as run out chances were missed by Jadeja and Karthik,over throws conceded by Jadeja and Kohli and fumbles by Nehra indicate.Dinesh Karthik doesnt seems to understand the difference between a T-20 and 50 over game.He walked down to Malinga and other Sri Lankan pacers on numerous occasions instead of staying at the wicket (unlike his figures sugessts) and capitalising on the opportunity he was provided by surpassing the small target.Arguably, Sangakkara could have given Mainga and Kulusekera a couple of more overs in their first spell.He hardly had to repent though as Matthews provided the first breakthrough for Sri Lanka in the form of Karthik.Virat Kohli failed to make an impression as did Rohit for the umpteenth time, though he was a bit unlucky to be adjudged LBW.It was indeed baffling to see Raina walking out again in this crisis situation instead of Dhoni.Malinga hardly proved effective defending the meagre score as the Indians safely negotiated the short balls without taking any undue risks.Randiv was introduced into the attack after the 20th over and Sangakkara had a long on in place for him!!The defensive approach of both the captains in this match is beyond any logical reasoning.Finally,Fernando made further inroads by removing Raina and giving Sri Lanka glimpse of a possible victory.
Sangakkara had a long off for the new batsman Dhoni, allowing Indians easy singles and thats all they needed.

The biggest positive for India on the Sri Lankan tour has been the restraint Virender Sehwag has shown in the absence of bug guns like Sachin,Yuvraj and Gambhir.He played an uncharacteristically patient and a well compiled innings and was the difference between the two sides in this match.With India in sight of victory and just 33 runs required, Sehwag decided to celbrate in style by unleashing an array of shots against Matthews and Randiv.What followed proved to be the moment of this match.Virender Sehwag was denied a century by Randiv, who conceded 5 extras in the last over. The 4 byes off the ball missed out by Sangakkara looked fair enough as keepers sometimes do miss the ball when it stays a touch low thoguh,Sangakkara is expected to pouch such deliveries easily.A shameful act considering the spirit of the game followed a couple of deliveries later when Randiv bowled a huge no-ball on purpose leading to a specualation if he really is a Sri Lankan or perhaps, is a Pakistani!!The law book shall certainly not be ruffled by this incident but cricket shall no longer remain the Gentleman's game with such poor sportsmanship.

ICC, SLC and BCCI added fuel to fire by bringing to forth their views on the matter.SLC has handed Randiv a one match suspension and has also reprimanded Dilshan (team mate of Virender Sehwag for Delhi Daredevils) who egged Randiv to deliver the no-ball.BCCI,ridiculously, asked for strict action on the matter!Surely, there are more significant matters to look into for BCCI rather than make a mountain of a mole hill.ICC, as expected, kept clear of any participation in the matter, leaving it to the SLC.For a team boasting of fair play for two consecutive years, this act was certainly a letdown and came as a surprise.Even more ridiculous was the way Randiv went to Sehwag to apologise.Its just like you fire off a shot at someone and then, apologise later!Professionally speaking,India shall be happy of a win , batting under lights at Dambulla and also winning the bonus point.But humans are not machines and hence, emotional quotient does come into play and such incidences, no matter the teams involved, are a big letdown.Anyways,the series has certainly opened up now, with each team having won once.Its time for Rohit to come good and play a fine knock against quality sides like NZ and Sri Lanka.Kohli should also be looking to make an impression in the absence of Yuvraj Singh and the Indian management shall do well to rest Dhoni and give Tiwary a chance in the next match.