India could not have used the home series against Sri Lanka to prepare for the tough assignment in South Africa early next year. The idea was too far-fetched.
Neither the conditions nor the pitches give an indication of the challenges that await Virat Kohli’s men.
Bounce and movement were alien features at Nagpur and Delhi after the embarrassment caused by fast bowler Suranga Lakmal at Kolkata when India was reduced to 17 for three in 10.1 overs.
It is another matter that it was Sri Lanka which was fighting to save the match on the final day.
Kohli dominated the series like a colossus — aggregating 610 runs in five innings with three centuries, including two double hundreds.
Bowlers have been clueless because they can’t find any vulnerability in Kohli’s batting, his drive and passion placing him in a different league.
“He is on the road to smashing all batting records. His consistency is amazing,” says Virender Sehwag.
True, Kohli can do nothing wrong.
India can draw strength from the superb show by the fast bowlers, especially Ishant Sharma, who commanded respect and picked up eight wickets on unresponsive pitches. Ishant, Umesh Yadav, Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced an outstanding line right through to send warning signals to the South African batsmen.
Ishant has been a transformed bowler this season and much credit goes to former India seamer Manoj Prabhakar, now Delhi bowling coach.
Prabhakar sorted out a few technical issues regarding his deliver stride. “I told him to use the crease judiciously and worked on his action. His head was falling to a side and that was impacting his line,” said Prabhakar.
In Sehwag’s view, “Ishant bowled really well. His wrist position was perfect and he used the new and old ball very well. He is a bowler who needs the backing of the captain. If you can back a batsman (like Ajinkya Rahane) then why not a bowler? A bowler needs more support in my opinion and Ishant can do wonders with constant backing.”
Ishant’s comeback was the outstanding feature from India’s point of view.
Spinners too played their part. Former India spinners Murali Kartik was delighted with the form of R. Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
“It was heartening to see Jadeja spin the ball. He is bowling to suit the modern demands by attacking the stumps,” Kartik observed.
The debate on openers was put to rest by a remarkably consistent Murali Vijay and an equally determined Shikhar Dhawan. In fact, seasoned observers notice a different Dhawan. He has worked on his mindset to bat with greater vigour and concentrated on his defence too.
“His game has become tight because Shikhar is putting value to his wicket,” noted Kartik.
The team management was obviously pleased with Vijay’s form — 292 runs with two centuries. With a superb technique and unflinching temperament, he is best suited when playing overseas.
His last four appearances in South Africa in 2013 had fetched him scores of 6, 39, 97 and 50. The team can look forward to greater exploits from him and Cheteshwar Pujara, who aggregated 289 runs. Rohit Sharma too celebrated his Test stints with 217 runs in three innings.
Sri Lanka made no tall claims. The priority for the team, which lost the series 1-0, was to use the platform and identify claimants to certain spots. It was served well by the dogged Dinesh Chandimal. His aggregate of 366 runs did justice to his style but the innings of the series came from Dhananjaya de Silva, who cracked a lively unbeaten 119 in the final Test.
For Angelo Mathews, the plucky century at Delhi underlined his value to the team.
It was not the best of cricket played in India for a long time and served an ultimatum to the administrators — not to take the fans for granted. Empty galleries at all venues were a grim reminder indeed.
