Lakmal makes a dent in short day
PLAY may have only lasted a total of 12 overs at Eden Gardens in the first day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka but all in attendance were able to see a wicket that was tailormade for a bowling attack.
Suranga Lakmal claimed the scalps of both India openers and Virat Kohli for an 11-ball duck as overcast skies and a wet, green wicket offered a hellish pitch for the batsmen to contend with.
This was a troublesome day that may see if Kohli stays true to his word after stating he wanted his batting core to ‘develop our games for difficult conditions’ as opposed to the flat-tracks normally on display in the sub-continent.
“We certainly believe a lot in ourselves as a team,” Kohli said.
“You have to work hard if you’re to win the game. The mindset of winning is very important and if you can embrace playing in difficult conditions that will be the difference. We want to be uncomfortable. We want to embrace being uncomfortable and that’s the most important thing.
“We want to rather develop our games for difficult conditions. If you want to be the top side in the world for a longer period of time you have to win everywhere. If we had played away as well, we would have maintained the same intensity and have the same mindset.”
Lakmal’s figures of 6-6-03 leaves something to be desired if we are to see more destructive bowling in this Test, with the next two days set for high humidity and heavy rainfall and the likelihood of a lightning storm on Saturday.
With Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease for when play resumes today, India are without the batting prowess of all-rounder Hardik Pandya who is being ‘rested’ after a busy 2017.
As captain, Kohli defended resting the inform Pandya and cited a loaded schedule as being the cause for omission.
“This is one thing which I don’t think people explain properly. There is a lot of talk from the outside in terms of workload; whether a player should be rested or should not be rested. All cricketers play 40 games in a year.”