India dominate Day 1 as Sri Lanka couldn't find answers

The scorecard on Day 1 in Galle showed one short of 400, on a pitch, which seemed hasn't had anything for the bowlers and the slippery bowling from Lankans aided Indians to post their second highest total on Day 1 till date. With Dhawan scored an aggressive 190 and a composed Innings from the other end, Pujara stayed at the crease on 144.

It all started as India won the toss and elected to bat first with offering a debut to Hardik Pandya, and Lankans, on the other hand, went with 4 specialist bowling options, as they thought to sneak in, some overs, from Gunarathne.

The new opening pair, have started the innings well, to see the early movement but there isn't anything, until Pradeep found a hint of it, to take the outside of Mukund, who poked in defense. Dhawan alongside Pujara eased into the innings with making the most use of Kumara’s sloppy bowling.

As Kumara struggled to find the right line and length, there came a moment when Dhawan dropped by Gunarathne, in trying to play a drive. The missed opportunity not only cost Lankans runs but also affected their combination later on as Gunarathne walked off the field with a broken finger.

But that didn't stop Dhawan to play his shots irrespective of the bowlers as he cut the ball with perception with any width on offer and swept the spinners with allowing the ball to him. While for Pujara it was Business at the other end to rotate the strike and sneak a boundary here and there with Dhawan scoring bulk of the runs.

Later in the post lunch session, Dhawan accredited with another gear in his armory and went past 100 in a run a ball and picked up spots, for his liking as spinners haven't found any assistance. Pujara kept it simple as his trade style allowed Dhawan to take full charge and he eventually Scored more than 100 between post lunch and tea session, before departing at the stroke of Tea, in trying to clear mid off.

After Tea, Lankans employed the short ball theory against Virat and it worked well as he was tempted to pull one of them and presented a catch to Dickwella. In this period Lankans looked as they found their edge on the match with quite overs and Rahane too seemed circumspect early with scoring only 2 of 20 odd balls.

But Pujara hadn't stopped in sneaking a boundary and started to take charge of the innings has he slapped the loose delivers on its face. In doing so, went past his 12th  hundred and, he along with Rahane seen the day, with adding 100+ runs in the final session of Day 1.

Sri Lanka with trying to find the ground face India test

It all started in Galle for Virat and his team, where the foundation for moving forward, to the top of the rankings in test cricket started back in 2015 when the team trying to figure out what the best way to improve and set standards for themselves. Now, they are at the same venue, but with altogether a new look with sitting top of the table in the world in the longer format.

It’s achieved due to their ruthless performance over the long home season, against different opponents. And this series is all about embracing their ruthlessness and skill against an opponent, where their moral seems low.

It’s termed as one of the lowest points of his career, by their former captain, but time, that consuming to fill the voids present in the squad hurting more than anything else. While it has to be said, they are still in the phase of transition, as the chopping and changing every now and then helping it neither.

Meanwhile, the new captain’s unavailability for the first test will pose few questions for the stand in captain as well. The performance of the young players will be so crucial for them as well as for India and to the fans to make the series, a contest to watch out for.

India team

          The opening combination is where the main focus lies for India, as the preferred ones are unavailable, it’s time for the new pair to fight for the spare opening slot when the originals are fit to play. Another area for India is to test Hardik Pandya in the longer format, with the overseas tours lining up, after this one.

Possible XI: 1 Abhinav Mukund, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt),5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 8 R Ashwin, 9 Ravindra Jadeja, 10 Umesh Yadav, 11 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Sri Lanka Team

          For the Islanders, the main man is their stand in captain and the premier bowler of the side Rangana Hearth, where all keys goanna lies for them. With Chandimal unavailability it gives Dhananjaya De Silva to make a statement on his comeback to the squad, who played a key role in the series sweep against the Aussies.


Possible XI: 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Dimuth Karunaratne, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Dhananjaya De Silva, 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 7 Asela Gunaratne, 8 Dilruwan Perera, 9 Rangana Herath (capt), 10 Lahiru Kumara, 11 Nuwan Pradeep

Zimbabwe seek to turn around as Sri Lanka look to keep going

Heroes to Zeros, it is, what happened from Friday to Sunday, for both teams, one dipped down and the other raised high. Now it's time for both teams, to re-address their intent after one-sided games, as they move from Gallie to Hambantota.

Zimbabwean's swept the ball as well as they could against spin in the first ODI and in the second one, it seemed they are playing spin bowling for the first time in the Career. It’s also due to the unknown quality questions being posed by the young Lankan spinners.

Srilanka though will feel the momentum going into the third ODI, with bouncing back after a historic chase from the visitors. But the fielding still seems to be a concern, in the area they need to evolve with the young squad.

But it is the squad, that travelled to Champions Trophy, so the margins of winning and losing will be crucial for the hosts against the visitors. Building the confidence is key for the hosts, with the big series of the home season, looming up against India later in this month

While, for Zimbabwe being consistent, is the feat yet to be achieved whether it's in a match or in a series. And, it is where, the Series can take one turn or can make interesting for them, and to all.

Meanwhile, it all boils out, how gonna Zimbabwe play the young wrist spinners, which as turn out to be the order of the day in limited overs Cricket, for most teams as an attacking option.