Anurag Kumar
A schedule stretched too thin, multiple rain interruptions, a generous allocation of reserve days, and lackluster attendance have rendered the Asia Cup thus far forgettable. However, this is shaping out to be precisely the type of World Cup tune-up India likely desired.
There have been victories defending both large and small totals, on varying terrains, and not always through predictable means. To accomplish all of this in two matches on three consecutive days against Pakistan and Sri Lanka — who were nearly guided home by Dunith Wellalage’s all-round effort of 5/40 and a valiant, unbeaten 42 — is no small feat, particularly for a team with so many personnel changes.
Here is India’s current achievement report: On two distinct pitches, the openers and middle order have received a comprehensive, staggered workout. Except for Suryakumar Yadav, all boxes have been checked while India has tinkered with its middle order. Shreyas Iyer played, but a back spasm hindered his development. KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan batted at No. 4 on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
Bowlers have also flourished in unexpected ways. On a pitch that favored seamers, Kuldeep Yadav circumnavigated Pakistan and took five wickets. On a sticky, two-paced pitch ideal for spinners, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj removed Sri Lanka’s top three batsmen before India deployed two sluggish left-arm bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, along with Kuldeep, for a 41-run victory.
A 63-run seventh-wicket stand between Dhananjaya de Silva and Wellalage, who were devoting themselves and judiciously dissecting the gaps, brought the match closer than the scorecard indicated. But Jadeja provided a timely breakthrough, luring de Silva (who had one eye on the D/L par score) into choosing Shubman Gill at mid-on. Kuldeep was once again the most effective bowler, returning 4/43 despite a late lapse in discipline.
When Sri Lanka attempted to recover after losing three wickets in rapid succession, Kuldeep thwarted their efforts by having Sadeera Samarawickrama caught lbw by Rahul. The manner in which Rahul pounced to take a one-handed catch of Charith Asalanka demonstrated how well he is progressing as a wicketkeeper. Dasun Shanaka was caught by Rohit at first slip off Jadeja, and Sri Lanka appeared to be on the verge of extinction at 99/6.
This occurred after Bumrah had already caused early damage. Pathum Nissanka’s precise drive off Bumrah that yielded a boundary was one of the few highlights of his brief innings. Two balls later however, Bumrah made the ball angle into him before it straightened, taking an edge off Nissanka’s feeble drive to a diving Rahul. Siraj lured Dimuth Karunaratne into a flashy cut, which Shubman Gill did well to catch at first slip, but Kusal Mendis was always the prized scalp, particularly at home.
Mendis was looking in ominous form on what was obviously a difficult pitch under lights and a fresh spell of shower. There were a few fours, including a top-edge off Bumrah that was followed by a six over midwicket, but what the India pacer did next was nothing short of brilliant. It was indeed a slower dipper, but it was pitched almost at blockhole length, compelling Mendis to jab it out and toss it to Suryakumar, who had replaced Siraj, at cover, reducing Sri Lanka to 25/2.
As much as this victory should boost India’s confidence, it should not obscure their glaring weaknesses against spinners. Dunith Wellalage returning 5/40 is a clear indication that the left-arm slow bowler to right-handed batter matchup is poised to keep India on their toes.
Worrisome is the fact that the majority of India’s specialist batsmen approached Sri Lanka on a pitch loaded in favor of slow bowlers with hard hands and shaky frontfoot work.
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Rohit Sharma, the only batter to reach fifty, was unfortunate to have a Wellalage delivery scoot and remain low after pitching, whereas Gill was nowhere near the pitch of a delivery that spun past his outside edge. Virat Kohli fell while attempting to dislodge him from his leg, Hardik Pandya was bowled by an outgoing delivery similar to Gill, and Rahul was caught and bowled while attempting a backfoot strike. The only consolation was that Rahul appeared the most composed Indian batsman against Sri Lanka’s sluggish bowlers while he was batting.
