India in shambles at Colombo Test Match

As predicted Indian middle order is again on the verge of collapse in the second innings of the final test at Sri Lanka. Only a miracle can now save India, the same miracle Laxman and Dravid orchastrated way back at Eden Gardens to defeat Australia where Laxman scored a mammoth 281 to spell Australia's nightmare. But this pitch is not going to assist that stlye batsmanship as the conditions here demand skilled display of how to preserve wickets, the last Indian hope is this pair which has to its credit some match saving stints.

How well Laxman and Dravid can apply is to be seen in some gruelling conditons where the home team has consistently rocked the Indian boat. As predicted in the earlier column Kumara Sangakkara turned out to be big match player for Lankans.

Injuries in the Indian camp

On the second day's play Tendulkar, Laxman and Ishant had suffered strains while playing. And that did hapmered India's psychological edge as the were completely outplayed by Sri Lanka on the first session of the third days play, when Sangakkara consolidated his hundred with a close to 150 runs.

I think Sri Lanka is now in an advantageous position as Laxman has an ankle sprain and it will be very difficult to hold on the attacking Sri Lankan spinners for long. Only thing India can now do is to play the match with a positive mindset. If India can manage at least a 200 on the board to defend then we can have a match on hand, Otherwise it will be almost a second series win for Sri Lanka at home. Ajantha Mendis is clearly the man of this series edition between the two nations. With 25 wickets already in this series it is a record by a newcomer in a three test series. And he is ready to have a go at the Indian tail. Can Dravid and Laxman save India ???


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