Player ratings: India vs Sri Lanka
Here is a look at how the Indian and the Sri Lanka players performed in the second Test in Kanpur.
India will surely miss the Delhi dasher badly in the third Test in Mumbai. After saving the first Test and laying the foundation for the victory in the second with an impressive 167, the most consistent performer for the hosts will give the final clash a skip for his sister’s wedding. Well, he can afford the break!
Prasanna Jayawardene might never be able to forgive himself for dropping that catch. Viru was batting on 1 when the Lankan gave him the lifeline. And, Sehwag made sure that the visitors paid heavily. He hit his 16th Test century and tormented the Lankan bowling attack.
Rahul Dravid: 9
Is there anything that this guy can do wrong? He hit a brilliant 177 in the first Test and followed that with a 144 in Kanpur. Also, in the process he became the fourth highest run-getter in Tests and registered his 28th century in the longest format. What would India do without him in the five-day matches?
The icon knows how to play his part and leave the stage for others when the time is right. With Gambhir, Sehwag, Dravid and Laxman shouldering the scoring responsibility, Tendulkar chose to take a backseat and provided the much-required support from the other end.
The momentum had been set and the strategy laid out. After that, all Laxman needed to do was to continue the rhythm and he did that with much style. He, along with Yuvraj, put up an important partnership to give India the extra cushion of runs.
Yuvraj Singh: 7
It is a rarity that Yuvi scores a half-century and India end up on the losing side. He hit a quick 67 to further India’s cause. Not to forget the special act with the ball in the end as he broke the seemingly formidable partnership between Samaraweera and Mendis.
MS Dhoni: 5
No marks for batting. But Mahi surely gets the credit for: 1. Being the captain of the side that put up such an entertaining display. 2. Playing his cards at the right time (read bringing Sreesanth and others in to bowl just when required).
Harbhajan Singh: 7
With Sreesanth having done all the damage, Bhajji aided the Sri Lankan demolition well. Though he played a second fiddle to Sree in the first innings, Harbhajan led from the front in the second and took three wickets to make if five in the match.
Although Zaheer could not do much apart from taking two wickets, it must be taken into account that what if he hadn’t provided those early breakthroughs. He indeed set the momentum by packing off Dilshan on Day 2 and then dismissing Mathews on Day 4.
Sreesanth: 10
What a remarkable comeback to the international stage! This must be what dreams are made of. He came, he bowled, he conquered. A five-wicket haul and the writing was clear on the wall. Need we say more about him?
Pragyan Ojha: 5
A perfect debut for Pragyan. He takes four wickets and India scores a huge victory. Amit Mishra might have to wait now to get the back to the playing eleven.
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SRI LANKA
Tharanga Paranavitana: 5
The opener did try to bring some sanity to the Sri Lankan innings on both the occasions but could not help much as he first met with Sreesanth’s brilliance and the second time he could not figure out Sehwag’s mystery ball. Missed out on big knocks, just what happened to him in Ahmedabad.
Tillakaratne Dilshan: 2
Just when Dilshan was being touted as the heir apparent to Jayasuriya for the opening slot, he was undone by the Indian bowling. What a letdown after an impressive century in the first Test!
The skipper was looking set to take Sri Lanka’s score to a respectable figure but he again failed to lead from the front. Even his captaincy failed to earn any praise as Sri Lanka looked like a lost outfit on the field.
Mahela Jayawardene: 5
A brilliant double century in the first Test and a collective 57 in the second. What a mismatch! Though there were sparks of his brilliance self, they were hardly enough to light up a disappointing Lankan game.
Thilan Samaraweera: 6
Samaraweera stuck to what it seems has become his job profile in the Lankan line-up – providing support. But, when there was hardly anyone left for that, he took charge and tried to delay the apparent result as much as he could. His unbeaten half-century stood out in the visitors’ dismal batting figures.
Indian batsmen had hardly left any scope for the Sri Lankan bowlers to show their prowess. And, Indian bowlers did the same to the Lankan batsmen. So, Mathews could neither do any trick with the ball nor he could hit some big ones with the bat.
Prasanna seems to be taking exactly the same path as Mahela’s. Like his famed team-mate, he put up a splendid show in the first match but was a complete disappointment in the second.
When all seemed to be lost for the visitors, the spin legend stood true to expectations. His dismissal of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag were the saving grace for the Lankan attack. Imagine what the Indian duo might have added to the score if Murali hadn’t struck.
Had spelt doom for the Indian batsmen at Motera. But at Kanpur, he just looked a completely different bowler and lacked the earlier consistency. There is still time before he can cement his place in the side.
Mendis failed to capitalise much on the chance after getting a slot in the side due to an injury to Dammika Prasad. Took two wickets but ended up giving too much runs.
Herath was the only one who could stand up to the Indian onslaught. He not only tried to curtail the runs as he was one of the most economical bowlers, he also accounted for five wickets. There was also Rahul Dravid’s run-out to make him the lone star in the depressing Lankan show.
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