Team India outplayed Sri Lanka in all three departments of the game throughout the long tour and became the first ever team to whitewash Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. The visitors extended their winning run to nine straight matches against the hapless hosts.
Such a dominating performance by India was the first by any touring team. Team India remained unbeaten in their nine matches against Sri Lanka as they won the Test and one-day series 3-0, 5-0 and one-off T20 respectively.
The way Team India performed there, it was clear since Day 1 that they have arrived with full preparations. Talk about batting or bowling, India performed like a Boss in both ways. On the other side, Sri Lankan team just couldn’t find a way to stand against the force which Team India proved to be.
Like any other teams, India too had a plan in place for their opposition and going by the results, it is clear that India executed all the plans really well. While the team plans remain strictly a secret, Indian team’s plans have now come out in open via an unattended document.
However, only recently their full plan against Sri Lankan team was revealed when they forgot to destroy the strategy paper and left it intact in the dressing room. and It was found in their dressing room later. The paper revealed all the weaknesses and strengths of Sri Lanka cricketers and how to tackle them. Have a look.
.@andrewffernando Not sure this was supposed to be left lying around post-Test Galle Intl 😉 @officialslc @BCCI #slvIND #redbullcampuscricket pic.twitter.com/BDtmTz0Xy8
— Hugo Lewis (@Hugo_555) September 15, 2017
The text read,
Dimuth Karunaratne
Pace:- Back of Length 4th Stump Line angling across LBW & NICK OFF Candidate.
Spin:- Scaring Areas- Looks to play down the wicket. On the off side looking to play more on the back foot. Doesn’t seem to play the sweep shot.
Uput Tharanga
Pace:- Plays from within the crease, can bowl fuller length angling across.
Spin:- Scaring areas – Looks to play in the front of wkt (From covers to midwicket). Likes to come down the track. Doesn’t fancy the sweep.
Kusal Mendis
Pace:- Covers the stumps. Back of length straighter lines, he loves to drive on the rise through covers. Compulsive pullers.
Spin:- Compulsive sweeper/slog sweep (From square to mid wkt). Likes to come down the track.
Angelo Mathews
Pace: Back of length 4th stump line (Plays from within the crease) very strong off his legs. A short ball is a good option.
Spin:- Uncomfortable against RAOS with backward and forward short leg. Release shot coming down the track.
Niroshan Dickwella
Pace: Back of the length, angling across. Short ball with a leg gully.
Spin: Plays sweep & reverse sweep.
Asela Gunaratne
Pace: Length ball coming in, LBW candidate.
Spin: Favors off side, plays sweep & reverse sweep. Uncomfortable playing middle & leg line.
Dhananjaya De Silva
Pace:- Hard lengths- 4th stump line, very strong of his legs. Compulsive hooker/ puller.
Spin- Loves playing the cut. Consistently steps out to play the lofted shot.
Dilruwan Perera
Pace:- Hard length 4th stump line. Nick off & LBW candidate. A bouncer is a good option.
Spin – Looks to step out, scoring areas are from long to mid wicket. Plays the sweep & slog sweep.
However, it’s not yet clear that it was left by mistake or purposely.
The leaked document makes it clear that India had a detailed plan for every Sri Lankan batsmen. What do you think about it? Do you think it will help Sri Lankan cricketers play a better game in upcoming matches? Share your views with us in the comments section below.
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