The India- SL test match series is over and the well fought series has gone to the Sri Lankan side. Two main things which tilted the series in favour of Sri Lanka are Sri Lanka's home conditions favouring them and the most pathetic
batting display by the Fab Four of the Indian batting line up. Sachin Tendulkar was very much concerned about how to erase 171 runs to get past the the legend "Brian Lara". Sachin cringed under pressure of 171 runs and deservedly didnot get past Lara. I sincerely hope he doesnot get another chance to get past Lara. Sachin's career should end here and now. He is pre-occupied with his own records rather than think about the team.
Next is Sourav Ganguly. Sourav was awfully out of touch in the series. He was bamboozled by Mendis and Murali. Its better to invest in a youngter for the future. Sourav's fielding and attitude in the field is pathetic.
Third in line is Rahul Dravid. Dravid, it seems has forgotten the ways to get runs. He is ridiculously defensive in his approach and it pains to see Dravid struggle and sweat under pressure.
The man who reedems himself a bit is VVS Laxman. Laxman still has a another good two years left in him, with especially the Australian series coming up. However,his approach while batting with the tail-enders should improve immensely. Laxman should be given another series or two.
Sehwag and Gambir had a great series without whom the solitary win would not have been possible.
In the bowling department, Harbhajan had a smooth comeback and bowled well in the second test to give India a chance in the third. Ishant bowled really well and was a shame he got injured in the third test. Zaheer Khan is effective only with the new ball and he needs to improve his bowling with the old ball immensly, if needs to make any impact on the test arena.
The biggest disappiontment of the series was Anil Kumble's bowling. Even in favourable bowling conditions his bowling was below par to put it mildly. The old wily Kumble might not be seen again. He has become very predictable and has no sting in his bowling of late throughout 2008 season.
The score sheets:
Batting:
Sachin - 3/10,Ganguly-1/10,Dravid- 3/10,Laxman-4/10,Sehwag-7/10,Gambir-8/10.
Bowling:
Ishant Sharma-7/10,Zaheer Khan-5/10,Harbhajan Singh - 7/10,Anil Kumble- 3/10
Fielding:
Indian Cricket Team- 0/10.
Keeping:
India needs Dhoni desperately even yhough he is not the best Test Keeper. Karthik was pathetic to say the least.
So, move on Fab Four and leave space for younsters.
