Once a team gains momentum in a test match it takes something special to beat it. Think VVS and Dravid in Kolkata, circa 2001, against the Aussies. Most times, the best you can hope for is a honorable draw. India started the day at 237 for 5. The Sri Lankan bowlers, particularly Murali pressed hard and choked the runs. Saurav failed to read a Murali doosra again and was bowled for 39. He deserves credit for trying really hard both with his batting and fielding. Unfortunately, he is not the batsman he used to be. It is sad to see him struggle against bowling he would smash around in his heyday. My views on this are well known (Sad commentary, Only in India, Time to say Goodbye - see archives). I don’t think the selectors will drop him now without giving him a longer run. This is why taking him back in the side was a mistake and the team will pay a price for that. I have been saying for a while that he will be exposed in Pakistan and his backers are unwittingly setting him up for humiliation.

Saurav’s dismissal brought Dhoni to the crease. He took on the bowling with confidence which rubbed off on Yuvraj. Together, they scored 104 runs in 19.1 overs. Rahul declared the innings at 375 for 5 setting Sri Lanka a victory target of 436. Yuvraj and Dhoni were unbeaten on 77 and 51 respectively. Dhoni’s 51 came off 51 balls. The Sri Lankan batting had an air of inevitability about it. Even though the pitch was no worse than the previous days, they faltered and finished at 123 for 5, on the cusp of defeat.

Dhoni has proved that he is no flash in the pan. His keeping has improved and his batting has been very consistent. His lofted shots in the V arc are great to watch. He is a tough customer, the kind of player we will need in Pakistan. Irfan and Dhoni are the best thing to happen to Indian cricket in the last 2 years.

All the Indian bowlers did well in the second innings, getting breakthroughs at crucial times. Irfan, Agarkar and Harbhajan got one each and Kumble got two.

Yuvraj seems to have learnt his lesson from the first innings and used his feet well against the spinners. He took his time to settle down but blossomed as the innings progressed. Nice to see that he is thinking about his batting and making improvements. In this business a static player gets left behind. I implore the selectors to pick him in the playing eleven in Ahmedabad ahead of Dada. Look forward gentlemen, not backwards. Saurav is not going to get any better but Yuvraj will, if given a run in the side.