New Delhi, August 20: Sri Lanka suffered a heavy defeat against India in the first match of the Test series, losing by 165 runs. Former Sri Lankan cricketer Russell Arnold believes that the country’s opening partnership has been the worst in recent years. He also praised the performances of Devdutt Padikkal and Manav Suthar.
In the first Test played at Galle International Stadium, Padikkal scored 167 and 44 runs, earning him the ‘Player of the Match’ title. During a virtual conversation with Sony Sports Network, Arnold stated, “Padikkal is in fantastic form. He knows what he needs to do and effectively utilizes his strengths, such as his reach and footwork. Playing on a slow pitch is truly an art. It may seem easy, but not everyone can score runs, as seen throughout the Test match. The others struggled, and most players faced difficulties. He is confident and performing well across all formats. He has displayed remarkable class and quality, and India can expect a lot from him.”
Manav Suthar also showcased his all-rounder skills in the first Test, taking 10 wickets and scoring 24 and 9 runs. Arnold praised Suthar, saying, “Simplicity and patience are Suthar’s true strengths. On Sri Lankan pitches, we often see natural variations, and some spinners possess great skill, like Muralitharan or Warne. However, those who have performed well have done so with simplicity and patience. Rangana Herath is a prime example. Suthar is doing exactly that. He adjusted his pace and ball release on the pitch, and everything was in the right place. Their patience is what propelled Suthar forward, and maintaining that is challenging.”
In the series opener, Sri Lanka’s opening pair failed to deliver. They lost their first wicket for a score of ‘zero’ in the first innings. In the next innings, the opening batsmen Nishan Madushka and Lahiru Udara managed only a 13-run partnership. Arnold believes that the opening partnership has been a persistent issue for the team.
He remarked, “In recent years, Sri Lanka’s opening partnership has been the worst. They haven’t had a good start, even with Pathum Nissanka, who has been one of the better players. The players alongside him have changed frequently, and Nishan Madushka, who has played around 12-13 Tests, has not done much apart from a 200-run innings. This is an area they truly need to focus on. When it comes to the top order, the new and hard ball moves a bit. Playing shots becomes difficult. The Sri Lankan top order made the mistake of playing shots too early. Even Kamindu Mendis, who is experienced and has scored many runs, fell into this trap. It’s a matter of trying to dominate the bowlers too quickly under pressure, while patience is required on Sri Lankan pitches.”
He further explained, “When the ball softens, the game changes, and it becomes easier for the batsmen. If you look at the old ball after 30-40 overs, not many wickets fall. Therefore, we see these changes every year, and we must always remember to capitalize on opportunities, such as when a wicket falls or when the ball is hard. There is a problem in Sri Lanka’s top order. With some key players not playing, it now depends on those selected to rectify this.”
Regarding potential changes in the Sri Lankan team, he mentioned, “When it comes to making changes for Sri Lanka, the pitch also plays a role. I see only one change: will they bring in Ramesh Mendis by removing a seamer? This would allow two spinners to bowl shorter spells and remain fresh. Compared to Indian spinners, their spells were much longer, as spinners need to bowl with energy. If you approach bowling with a laid-back attitude, you won’t achieve much. You need to deceive the batsman in the air, which requires body movement. This could help them, but ultimately, it depends on how they perform. There is no need for a major structural change. Left-handed batsmen have performed well for Sri Lanka, so bringing in an off-spinner would be wise, but this decision should be made after assessing the pitch tomorrow. The pitch will dictate what needs to be done. If it looks dry and can turn quickly at the stumps, an off-spinner could be an option. However, if the pitch appears flat and the game could stretch, you would need Kuldeep and his cleverness to create disruption in the Sri Lankan batting lineup.”
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