India-Lanka Test Series: How India Can Beat Lanka in Galle

Before you read further, I must apprise you about some basic assumptions made by me: (i) the wicket will be a feather bed, (ii) India will win the toss and elect to bat.

Very often, match previews tell you, “the toss is crucial”, but they stop short of revealing that the toss winning captain is presumed to be sane. And after more than two days of frolicking in the sun, in the game with the Board President’s XI, any thought of embracing insanity, by opting to field on winning the toss, should have disappeared from Dhoni’s mind.

So consider it done that Sehwag and Gambhir will take guard against Welegedera (hope I spelt it right) and Malinga, on July 18. Again, I presume that insanity will keep its intruding nose out of the way so that Sehwag can concentrate on scoring his hundred, and Gambhir can try not to fall prey to the temptation of breaking Inzamam’s record of run outs.

A declaration by Dhoni, at 650/5, with an hour to go on the second day, will serve as the perfect backdrop for Ishant Sharma’s dramatic return to form. Meanwhile, Munaf at the other end will remember that his current speed is 120 kmph, not 140 kmph which it was once upon a time, and refrain from bowling short, so as not to allow Dilshan to settle down by swatting the mosquito balls for six.

As ever, Dilshan will have bouts of amnesia, when apart from not remembering his name, he will also forget that the T20 world cup is over. The result:: Dishan, caught Dhoni, bowled Sharma, 5; Sri Lanka 7/1. In walks Kandamby, promoted to protect Sangakara from embarassing  himself, and with 15 minutes left of the day’s play, Paranavitana departs, out to Harbhajan’s first ball; Sri Lanka, 35/2.

Next in is Malinga, nightwatchman. Kandamby takes a single off the first ball of the last over, exposing Malinga to the delightful prospect of facing a Jalandhar special. Next ball from Harbhajan, nasty bounce and turn outside the off stump, and he is OUTTTT. The nightwatchman returns before night fall, caught behind. Sri Lanka are 41/3 and need 409 more to get India to bat again. An all too familiar tale of woe for Sri Lanka. One century each to Sangakara and Jayawardene, in separate innings, India needing 85 to win in three hours of play left on the last day, Sehwag scoring the fastest test 50 in 15 balls to finish the match with two hours to spare…

And my name isn’t even Nostradamus.

Tags: Dhoni, India, Malinga, Preview, Racing, Result, Sehwag

Category: Cricket