6 ways in which Sri Lanka can conquer the Indian challenge

6 ways in which Sri Lanka can conquer the Indian challenge: India and Sri Lanka are set to clash in a high voltage Test series from tomorrow. They are playing each other in a full Test series after 5 years. The last time the two sides clashed on Lankan shores, India put up an impressive performance and managed to draw the series. VVS Laxman, the classy Indian batsman was the architect of India’s win in the last Test thus ensuring a 1-1 score line at the end of the tour. India as well as the home team will have a different outlook to their sides when they clash this time. Sri Lanka will give their best to further prolong India’s desire of a Test Series win on the island in 22 years.

Let us have a look at the 6 crucial points which the Lankans need to focus on to beat their subcontinent rivals:

1. Cash in on India’s inexperience:

The lack of experience in the Indian camp can be judged by the fact that skipper Virat Kohli will be playing his first Test against Sri Lanka. He has led India in just 3 Tests prior to this. Thus it would be challenging for the Indians as the dressing room will have very few players who have played in Sri Lanka before. It will mean they would not be accustomed to the intricacies of Sri Lankan conditions and pitches and the home side will want to capitalize on this. Sri Lanka might have lost the Test series to Pakistan but they are still a formidable Test unit and India would do well to not take them lightly.

2. The pacers exploiting technical flaws in India’s batsmen:

India did not fair too well in England last time when the ball swung around. The sea breeze which is familiar sight on Lankan venues always helps the pacers extract movement in the air and Sri Lanka have the arsenal to exploit such conditions. While Nuwan Pradeep and Dushmantha Chameera are predominantly swing bowlers, the skiddy Dhammika Prasad also bowls a good outswinger. When the track is flat Indians look at ease but any amount of lateral movement is sure to cause considerable discomfort to them.

3. The X factor in the Spin Department – Tharindu Kaushal:

With a factory producing canny and uncharacteristic bowlers Sri Lanka must now be named the territory of mystery spinners. The recent sensation is Tharindu Kaushal who resembles almost like the great Muralitharan when it comes to bowling action. He impressed cricket experts in the Test series versus Pakistan with his skills. Considering India’s Test record against a certain Ajantha Mendis, when he first arrived on the scene, Kaushal would be pretty much licking his lips. With none of the Indians having faced him before he will look to make a name for himself in the series.

4. Attack India’s top order with the new ball:

Barring Murali Vijay, none of the top order batsmen looked promising on India’s tour of England last year. If the Lankans can expose their techniques against the new ball it would mean the middle and lower order will be under a lot of pressure and the Lankan spinners can cash in on that. With Virat Kohli making it clear to go with 5 bowlers, and Saha being new to Test match cricket this could well be the clinching factor if Sri Lankan pacers can dislodge the Likes of Rohit and Virat early in the innings.

5. Not allowing Indian batsmen to play freely against the spinners:

Indian batsmen made Moeen Ali look like Jim Laker in their tour of England. Not being able to rotate the strike was the prime reason for that. Sri Lanka have in their ranks perhaps the best left arm spinner in World cricket – Rangana Herath. Herath is accurate, consistent and difficult to get away easily. His arm bowl is the real killer one. Along with Dilruwan Perera and Tharindu Kaushal he will look to further highlight India’s worries against the tweakers.

6. Angelo Mathews and Sangakkara guiding the youngsters through:

Since Mahela is not there, the Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews will have to step up and along with Sanga guide the youngsters like Chandimal, Silva and others in the side. Sanga will also look to make his last two Tests a memorable one for the Lankan lions, while Mathews will want to correct the mistakes from the Pakistan series and ensure that the home side comes up with a better performance.