Colombo, July 25: India are in a situation that they are used to. Slow starts have always been India’s bugbear abroad. In the last two Test series here, India had managed to draw level after going down tamely in the lung-opener, a record they should draw confidence from when the second Test against Sri Lanka commences here at the SSC on Monday.
Another statistic that can concern the visitors is no batsman apart from Virender Sehwag has managed a hundred in Sri Lanka after February 1999. The stress on batsmen is accentuated by the physical discomfort that they have to undergo due to oppressive conditions.
The wickets are not straightforward belters like in India. It requires greater discipline to survive and score big. India have not crossed 400 in the last seven Tests. Sehwag holds the key again. Blessed with keener hand-eye coordination than any other contemporary batsman, he has broken many a myth including routes to success in these conditions.
Gautam Gambhir’s cup of woe is full. The opener, who had a poor outing in Galle, is troubled by a wobbly knee. Reserve opener Murali Vijay had an extended session under the watchful eyes of coach Gary Kirsten.
The team thinktank will take a final call on the opening combination on the morning of the match.
The senior trio of Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and V.V.S. Laxman all looked in good touch before falling to poor shot selections or dubious running. With Yuvraj and M.S. Dhoni also getting in reasonable contributions, batting looks the least of worries for Dhoni. With no Muttiah Muralitharan or Lasith Malinga, the top-order should look to pile on a big score. Batting first will be a definite advantage.
The bowling, read spin, has to show more control. It was an unthreatening eighth wicket pair that took the game away from India in Galle. Runs were served up on a platter. Credit to Abhimanyu Mithun and Ishant Sharma for a full-hearted effort, on another day they could have had better returns. The problem has been the form of Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha not filling in the support slot well. A negative line to go along with defensive fields has not helped their cause.
The hosts had everything going their way in Galle. An entirely changed bowling combination ensures things start on even keel here. Off-spinner Suraj Randiv might get a look in place of Rangana Herath who looked fragile. In Dhilara Fernando and Dammika Prasad, the new ball department looks well filled. The return of Ajantha Mendis adds teeth.
Mendis was the wrecker in chief in 2008 with 26 scalps. After spending some time outside the squad, the carom ball specialist has forced his way back to the team with a six-wicket haul in the tour game. Without Murali, the attack lacks bite on paper but there is enough talent and the Indian top-order cannot be taken lightly.
The SSC track has always been batsmen friendly and it has usually been the side batting first that has gone on to dictate terms.
The team that grow tired after fielding close to two days suffer against a tall score and both sides understand that well. The SSC has been Sri Lanka’s most successful Test venue with 17 wins in 33 games. They have lost only six times with the other 10 being drawn.
India’s record here is moderate with a solitary win coming in 1993. In the remaining five, Lanka have won twice and the rest finishing inconclusive.