While the Lankans registered their biggest Test win on home soil, the defeat
was India's worst against the hosts.
Muralitharan and Mendis destroyed the famed Indian batting line-up on a dry
spinning pitch, bowling the side out for 223 in the morning and then 138, in
just 45 overs, in the second innings after Sri Lanka forced the follow-on with
India trailing by 377 runs.
Muralitharan snared five for 84 from 29 overs in the first innings and then
claimed a further six for 26 from 13 overs in the second innings.
Mendis, an unorthodox finger spinner, claimed four for 72 from 27.5 overs in
the first innings and another four for 60 in the second innings to finish with
eight for 132 on his Test debut.
In sum, the Indians were done in by the lethal combination of two spinners
-
one experienced and the other playing only his first Test - after the Sri Lanka
batsmen - four of whom got centuries - feasted on the Indian bowling and
rattled up 600 runs.
With the second Test coming up on Thursday, July 31, the Indians will have to
come up with something extraordinary in bowling and batting to salvage some
pride.
Tell us what India needs to do to tackle Murali and Mendis. What should our
bowlers do to check the Sri Lankan run-machine?
CricketPulse.com is dedicated channel for ball by ball live updated scores, latest cricket news, articles, player profiles, features, player statistics and forthcoming series. It also offers users the most comprehensive live coverage of international and domestic cricket. It also provide information and news on Indian Leagues - Indian Premier League (IPL) & Indian Cricket League (ICL).