India in Sri Lanka, July-August 2017

[Sin Hombre]

Good article about India and Kohli's dismal slip fielding

http://www.espncricinfo.com/sri-lanka-v ... 14778.html

[rajitghosh]

Bring Dravid as slip catching coach

[prasen9]

Slip fielders always take time to get it right. But, I think Kohli is just not fit for the slips. And, a whole bunch of our fielders are taking too long to learn.

[PKBasu]

The slightly unnecessary declaration today denied Jadeja (70*) a maiden century. Ashwin picked up a couple of wickets, but he surely would have done so tomorrow morning as well.

[Atithee]

Finally! India's lower order is consistently productive. I've been waiting for this day. It'd be interesting to rank the lower order (say last four wickets) contribution for all countries over time. I wouldn't be surprised if India's recent wins will parallel its lower order contribution. With such critical contribution, you not only contribute runs, but also provide bowlers the freedom to attack and execute their strategies. Well done Team India.

[Sin Hombre]

With regards to the follow on argument, yesterday was a good showcase why teams don't enforce follow-on these days.

Even more so when you are a team like India with bowlers who cannot maintain consistency in long spells.

[Omkara]

Especially when there are all rounders in the team who replaces a spinner like Kuldeep.

[prasen9]

Exactly what I was thinking Sin Hombre. We need to look at our bowlers strike rates while bowling to top order batsmen after they have already bowled 50 overs. Admittedly, we have to take into account the bias introduced by fetching such data and using it for follow-on cases, but, maybe something can be learned. My gut feeling is that the Indian bowlers need more rest than the other top teams!

That said, when there is no chance to lose, then we should declare a bit earlier when we bat again. And, try to hit out and score quickly when we bat again. India has been lax in these. If you do these, then you can not enforce the follow-on and still have enough time.

[PKBasu]

India inflicted an innings defeat, so the follow-on worked.

We could get greedy and demand an abject thrashing. In order to do that, Kohli should have opened the second innings with the better-rested Shami and Umesh, who had bowled just 11 overs between them in the first innings. That would have given Ashwin the chance to recharge his batteries a bit more.

[prasen9]

Yes, I was wondering why Shami was not given more bowling at the beginning. The inclusion of Hardik and the under-bowling of Shami at times seems to indicate that they are not confident he can take a heavy load yet. Anyway, all's well that ends well.

Next match, Jadeja is banned. So, Kuldip Yadav will get a game. That is great!

[PKBasu]

Axar Patel has been called up for the final test. I hope and pray that doesn't mean that Kuldeep will be left out of the XI.

[Prashant]

Given that the pitch is a complete green top, it might just mean that Bhuvi comes in for Jadeja, and neither Axar nor Kuldeep gets in the eleven.

[PKBasu]

Kuldeep bamboozled Australia on the green top in Dharamsala. Logic suggests that he should definitely play at Pallekele -- and so should Bhuvi (probably ahead of Umesh, although I would prefer to have him replace Pandya).

[PKBasu]

Just one change in the XI, Kuldeep replacing Jadeja. It isn't a green top, as most of the grass has been shaved. Sad to see the empty stands, and bizarre that opening batsman Karunaratne has bowled 3 overs already.

[PKBasu]

Middle order failed to capitalise on the great start. Again, our frailty against mediocre spin was exposed today, with Pushpakumara picking up wickets mainly because of our batsmen's hubris.