Second ODI - Sri Lanka equalize series in style

The Lankan bowling was not threatening in terms of pace but incisive enough. The Indian batting resembled a cat on hot tin roof. The catching from Sangakkara was phenomenal. The result was a one-sided win for the Lankans.


The Indian batsmen other than Gambhir, could not handle the swing and accuracy of Perera and Matthews when they batted. When it was the turn of the Lankans, there was no trace of the wind or help from the pitch to trouble the batsmen. The Lankans cantered home for the loss of Dilshan.


Gambhir showed that he was one batsmen who was good enough to handle the conditions and hold up one end  till the last ball of the innings. Kohli and Dhoni had a rare off-day at the office while Rohit's slump continued. It is very surprising to see why Rohit usually fails in a full-fledged Indian outfit but sparkles with a second-string side! Is it the weight of expectations that is pulling him down? Whatever it is, Rohit cannot blame the management for lack of opportunities. Time to give Rahane an opportunity in the middle-order.


The Indian bowling then looked uninterested to continue. They had already lost the match in their mind - on the field was just a formality. Representative of this was the efforts of Zaheer Khan with the number of wides and loose balls he offered. The Indian team was ready to throw in the towel if the umpire had asked them to - such was the intensity on show.


The Indian team would do well to put this out of their mind and when they start the next match in a new location, the mindset should be new. It is now a three-match series and one should strike very soon to take early lead.

First ODI - Rusty Indians beat weary Lankans

Thanks to their batsmen, the Indian team managed to keep the spirited chase of the Lankans. The tall score would always pose a stiff challenge to the Lankans but cheap runs given by the bowlers at the end to Sangakkara and Perera meant that the final score was healthier than what seemed likely at the end of 40 overs.

Virat Kohli and Sangakkara like these ties since they like to feast on the opposition bowlers and score big 100s - both have scored at least four centuries in Indo-Lankan competition. Today was no different. Kohli had support from Sehwag, Raina and Dhoni while Sanga was alone till Perera decided to cut loose.

 Though the Indians were coming from a long break, the batsmen seemed to be in good form against an attack that seemed to be tired coming after the Pakistan series. The late Indian surge was muted thanks to the relatively larger ground but a 300+score was going to be always difficult on Lankan soil. The Indian bowlers were better than their counterparts in the initial phase, containing the openers and claiming the important scalp of Dilshan.

Pathan, when he fires, brings a lot of value to the team with his shots in the middle and swing when he bowls. Zaheer seemed to be rusty but gave his bowlers good advice when required. Ashwin was miserly as well as picked up useful wickets whenever he came to bowl. Yadav impressed with his pace and could have had Sanga early but for Dhoni. His deficiency was mainly about giving cheap runs to batsmen when the writing was on the wall. But, he was able to keep Sanga quiet most of the time - a good sign.

 Overall, a good win for the Indians who will try to win 5-0 and reclaim the No.1 slot in ODI's.

IPL4 Match 50 - Gayle strikes twice at same place

Chris Gayle repeated his histrionics in Bangalore once again to take RCB to yet another convincing victory. Scary thought for the RCB Management that what will happen when law of averages catch up with Gayle but as of now, they are enjoying. Dilshan came to the party as well today and that spelt more trouble for Kochi.

IPL4 Match 24 - Gayle force hits KKR

An ex-KKR player and now an import for RCB, Chris Gayle smashed a century to help his team defeat KKR at Kolkata. The target was a stiff one but Gayle and Dilshan (and later Virat Kohli) reached the required score in a canter.

Related articles

• Bangalore confirm Gayle signing (espncricinfo.com)

World Cup 2011 - SL favorites to repeat win over NZ

177-154 says Castrol Index in favor of Sri Lanka against New Zealand for the first semi-final in the 2011 World Cup. The advantage goes much more than what the numbers say. The teams have faced each other in the League stage and Sri Lanka won the match convincingly. The spinners have spun webs around the batsmen of Black Caps so much that the match result looks decided already.

Once again, Muralitharan is doubtful for tomorrow's match and with confidence on his other spinners, Sangakkara will probably not risk him tomorrow. Herath and Mendis, along with Dilshan, will more than a handful for the NZ batsmen. The team composition contained Malinga and Matthews as the only non-spinners against England - there is no reason why this strategy should change against New Zealand. The opening batsmen have showed that if they settle down, they can notch up large partnerships at the top. Their success has ensured that the fragile middle order is not exposed. Sangakkara and Jayawardene were not given any match practice in the last game - they must be itching to contribute heavily.

The only Protean who was happy when they choked once again was Alan Donald, currently bowling coach of New Zealand. He has teamed up very well with John Wright to bring NZ to the stage that they are in. NZ was the best planned team in the entire tournament, having visited the host countries in the last few months. Though the results were not favorable to them, the experience is handy in the World Cup. They have also gone with three spinners along with Southee and Oram. Ross Taylor, McCullum and Scott Styris will be expected to lead the front on the batting side - playing in a test-like mode before going into the T20-mode in the slog overs. If they can get going, the strength of the Lankans (spin) can become their enemy very soon.

The Lankans start as overwhelming favorites for the match but one cannot rule out the eternal braids-maid of World Cup. Over-confidence is one aspect the Lankans will do well to avoid.  

Related articles

• World Cup 2011 - Sri Lanka favorites vs England (myhistoryisinteresting.blogspot.com)
• World Cup 2011 - Will South Africa choke vs NZ in QF? (myhistoryisinteresting.blogspot.com)

World Cup 2011 - Sri Lanka favorites vs England

    Key Player 
179-153 says Castrol Index, reflecting the difference between England and Sri Lanka. Quite a big difference, one can say, that has been justified by the inconsistent performances by the English team during this tournament. The Quarter-final match is being held in the backyard of the Sri Lankans, which will boost their confidence further.

Murali has been declared fit by his team - knowing him, he would have played if he was even 50% fit. Further, if he was not in the team also, the other spinners would be a handful  for the English team. It is a fact that England have played well against the test-playing nations, faltering against the minnows - the inconsistency of the batting lineup must be haunting both the Andys.

Strauss must stay as the anchor of the lineup so that the others can bat around him. Swann and Tredwell proved their prowess last match - will they do it again this match? The Sri Lankans are much better batsmen of spin and can negate the threat easily. Anderson will make a comeback but again, he is not much of a threat on these pitches.

Muralidharan, Mendis and Herath will play in all likelihood with Dilshan providing the part-time option. Malinga and Matthews can open the bowling with the new ball. Sangakkara and Jayawardene will be the key batsmen for the Lankans who will be expected to provide the strength. It has been a while that Dilshan has put up a big score - if he and Tharanga can put up a solid base, the others can take on from there. The middler order is suspect and might come apart just like the Proteas did against the Black Caps in their quarter-final.

The Emerald Isle team have the ability to put it across the English team easily, if they play as per their reputation. Will the English finally regain their Ashes-winning form?