Srilanka need not worry

The very fact that I did not blog on the last few matches has been proof that there has been nothing exciting in the past week. Srilanka have surrendered meekly to India on all the three occasions and India have not just batted better, but stamped their authority in fielding and bowling departments. What is refreshing to watch from the Indian fan's perspective is the healthy competition between World Cup hopefuls. On the one side Varun Aaron, Ishant, Umesh Yadav and Dhawal Kulkarni battle it out for the third and fourth seamer (possibly owing to conditions relevant Down Under), while on the other side we have some tussle between Jadeja and Akshar Patel.

Akshar has impressed every one with his ability to pick wickets in the middle overs and derail the opposition's run up to the slog overs. On all the three locations, he has picked up wickets and ensured Srilanka do not run away to a score in excess of 270. This is a invaluable contribution which i hope does not go unnoticed. With the large Australian grounds, boundaries at will may be difficult and a dangerous proposition. So it would be difficult to overcome a constant loss of wickets just before the slog overs. But you can not just write off Jadeja yet. He is a class act and should be in the mix of things. 

Inspite of scathing self criticism from Angelo Mathews after tame losses which have become boringly repetitive, Angelo would know they still have about 14 ODI matches to play after this series. This series after all was a stop gap arrangement and with quite a few fringe players in the playing XI, the Lankans are merely in experimental mode than in disarray. Ofcourse, the batting looks rusty and the only players missing from the lineup are perhaps Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal. Dilshan has looked off-color and so has Upul Tharanga. Kusal Perera gets out even before he gets going. Tries too many shots at the beginning of his innings. Maybe he should take a cue from the openers from the opposing side - Rahane and Shikhar. Both are circumspect in the first 5 overs, perhaps the only time Srilanka look to be in control of things. Srilanka need to get some runs from their openers, fluent runs. Dilshan is 36, and Tharanga is not in his twenties anymore. Are there backups? For the Indians it looks nice and cosy with Rahane and Shikhar looking good and feeling confident after runs under their belt and a raring Rohit Sharma to join the ranks.

The biggest takeaway from the series for the Indians till now is the invaluable century from Ambati Rayudu. He was the only weak link in the batting contingent (given the amount of runs he has had and the roles he has played to win matches). With him amongst runs thanks to the selfless promotion by stand-in (and most likely future Captain) Captain Virat Kohli, the batting looks enviable. It however remains to be seen how we negotiate the bouncy Australian tracks and the humongous outfields.We will need good outfielders with quick legs and strong throwing arms.

With so many matches to go for the Lankans, it will be a matter of time before the old guns and the newbies like Perera start clicking together. Ofcourse Srilanka will need a lot of Malinga and Rangana Herath to move ahead in the World Cup. Without both these world class bowlers, Srilanka look half the bowling side they are. A Malinga over in the death, can actually cause death for the opposition !! lol.