On paper India were the clear favorites for the three test series against Sri Lanka. India seemed to have more balance and was way ahead in batting strength. Six batters consisting of Gautham Gambir, Virendra Sewag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S. Laksman, have collectively gathered well over 30,000 runs. In the end the inability of these men to score runs became their undoing.

The pitch was not an ususal S.S.C. surface which always offers some assistance to the quicker bowlers. Here they had to labour to get even a semblance of assistance. This was more the case when the game reached day three and four. In the beginning it looked like rain was going to be a spoiler, with only twenty two overs possible on day one. The game started slipping away from the Indians from day two. On that type of pitch on day two, to field extremely well was essential. To hold onto half chances is almost a must. That did not happen and the Sri Lankan batsmen made the most of it.

Mutthiah Muralitharan congratulates Ajantha Mendis after he dismissed Indian batsman V.V.S. Laxman during the second day of the second Test match between India and Sri Lanka at The Galle International Cricket Stadium in Galle. AFP PHOTO/Lakruwan WANNIARACHCHI

Since Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya split company, as undoubtedly Sri Lanka’s opening combination, no pair has yet been established. Upul Tharanga looked the part, had the junior qualification and the ability to cement a permanent place. An adjustment in technique and more mental strength should bring him back into the reckoning. Meanwhile, three other players Michael van Dort, Malinda Warnapura and Mahela Udawatte have made progress.

Warnapura and Van Dort have been identified as test openers which is good, considering the pitfalls Tharanga has had to live with, having being thrown into all forms of the game. He got to a stage of confusion. His young brain could not handle the necessary change. Van Dort cannot rest on his past performances. He is capable and must get runs consistently. Now, Warnapura has made useful scores including the century in the last test match. The pair who are reaching the peaks of their career must make the most of the present opportunity.

The centuries made by Thilan Samaraweera and T.M. Dilshan, proved a point and also established the required strength in the middle order. A point in that keeping faith in the experienced, pays. Mahela Jayawardena was at his best. He kept playing straight, placing the ball with precision. He got the best ball bowled by the Indians when Ishant Sharma bowled a delivery coming into him which then went away off the pitch. The result was a catch behind the stumps. Sri Lanka’s batsmen scoring four centuries in itself augured well for the team, indicating strength and depth in the batting.

Both teams decided that four bowlers would be sufficient to bowl overs for a two innings period and amass twenty wickets. India fell well short of where they had to go, but not so Sri Lanka. Chaminda Vaas hardly worked up a sweat and Nuwan Kulasekera, did not have much work either.

Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis claimed nineteen of the twenty Indian Batsmen, after Kulasekera dismissed Sehwag first up. There was concern on whether Mendis should be thrown into the deep end to bowl against India’s mighty batting line-up. Within a matter of few hours after sending down the first delivery, he was brimming with confidence and relishing his role.

Mendis bowling accurately and troubling the Indian batsmen gave Muralitharan another lease of life. He relished in playing the attacking bowler role. That resulted in another ten wicket haul. In return Mendis also benefited bowling in the shadow of the champion. He could go about his business while Muralitharan made life miserable for the Indian batsmen, on a wearing pitch.

In the end Sri Lanka completed a comprehensive victory. It rubbed salt into the Indian wounds after that convincing win in Karachi in the Asia Cup. India must now hope they will win the toss in Galle. It will be such a crucial toss for them.

• Ranil Abeynaike is a former Sri Lanka cricketer and curator of SSC