5 things Sri Lanka can do to turn the tables around in the series

Entering the 1996 ICC World Cup with not very high expectations, Sri Lankan team led by the legendary Arjuna Ranatunga stunned the world and lifted the coveted trophy. Since then, Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva, Marvan Atapattu, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have been the flag bearers of their national side, disappointing their fans on very few occasions.

Things have changed dramatically over the last couple of years, precisely, after the retirement of Sangakkara and Jayawardene. The team has fallen apart and they are unable to find the right combinations to send a competent side on to the field of play. They’ve tried many combinations to withstand the horrors of the transition phase, but it seems as though they’ve failed by now.

In the ongoing series against India, the hosts faltered in every department to surrender in the worst possible way. The Lankan Island which once seemed impregnable to anyone who tried to conquer is no more the fortress for them. Rangana Herath and co registering their worst ever defeat in history in one such fortress Galle justifies that fact.

But things can turn around and all they need is some courage, grass roots development and most importantly, some more time. That’s a long run measure though and for the ongoing series, what they can do is focus on few of the aspects mentioned below.

#1 Top order to score big

Every team that has excelled in the past had some remarkable top order combinations that could steal the match in a couple of sessions. Dimuth Karunaratne notched some crucial runs in the second innings and his opening partner Upul Tharanga too has been in fine nick.

But what they need from either of these two is to score big hundreds and provide a solid platform for the middle order to finish the innings in style.

#2 Decode the spin twin

The Aswin-Jadeja combination in subcontinent is one of the scariest things one can ever face. But Sri Lanka being an Asian side, are good players of spin bowling and they will have to find ways to prevent getting caught in the stranglehold of these two gentlemen.

Their batters did play them well in the first innings, when the ball was not gripping but on the fourth day, they had no answer when there was a little turn available. Decoding these two bowlers can resolve a lot of issues for the hosts.

#3 Herath to fire all cylinders

Second highest wicket-taker in Sri Lankan history, Rangana Herath’s rise in International cricket is all inspiring. But the 39-year-old needs to take the onus upon himself to get the big fishes, which he is most certainly capable.

A couple of years ago, defending a total less than 140 against India, it was Herath who spun a web and helped his side register a famous win. Being the captain of the side, there are a lot of responsibilities he has right now and his players need the best of him, now more than ever.

#4 Fast bowlers making the most of the new ball

Lahiru Kumara and Nuwan Pradeep are talented fast bowlers, but their inconsistency in hitting the right areas at regular intervals is haunting them. If these two can get the better of the pressure and make the most of the new ball, a lot of things can turn into Sri Lanka’s favor.Indian openers have been a bit vulnerable to quality new ball bowling and this should be one of the points which should boost the Islanders to do well.

Indian openers have been a bit vulnerable to quality new ball bowling and this should be one of the points which should boost the Islanders to do well.

#5 Seniors to guide

If ever a team coped the best with transition, it has to be Australia. They’ve always had a perfect mixture of youth and experience in their side, which helped the youngsters to explore themselves and the seniors to do what they excel at. Sri Lanka currently are facing this meticulous problem as well, but there are some good resources in Angelo Mathews, Upul Tharanga and Herath, who need to be put into better effect.

As of now, the experienced campaigners are not showing the right way to the youngsters, which is not fruitful for anyone but their opponents. Sri Lanka can still be a very strong force if their big players fire. Things will only come harder at them, but their team definitely has the capability to face, and overcome the hindrances.