Galle Test - First Test of Series Syndrome ails India

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At Galle, India is slipping down to yet another first-test-of-series defeat, thanks to poor decision-making by their batsmen in both innings. Except for Sehwag in the first and Sachin in the second, the others failed. They did not try and score runs against the bowling attack that was marked by good spells by Malinga and Muralitharan. Forget scoring runs, other than Rahul Dravid, the batters could not occupy the crease for a long period of time.

Sehwag, Laxman got in but threw away their wickets while Dhoni (1st) and Sachin (2nd) were victims of exceptional balls by the Lankan bowling - the Indian bowlers should learn from the opposition on their incisiveness.

The Indians again suffered from the Lose-First-Match-of-Test-Series Syndrome - this has been their Achilles heel for quite some time now. The team has lost quite a number of first tests, especially overseas. On Twitter, Prem Panicker mentioned various reasons - insufficient warm-ups as well as attitude of individuals not to practice before important series. Of course, the Boards do not take the practice matches into their mind when creating the iterinary of any series. The individuals also dont take the time available to work on their technique. Of course, this is nothing new that only the Indian team suffers from this syndrome but nothing has happened with changing selectors, coaches or captains. One only hopes that there is a change in players' attitude but that is asking for too much, no?

Back to the series, only the rain can save the Indians now. If not rain, the pair of VVS Laxman and MSD Dhoni should do a miracle. Murali must be relishing the prospect of getting the 2 wickets for his 800.

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