Where to start with the visitors' problems? The bowling has seemed almost entirely devoid of menace past the first 10 overs. The fielding has been flatter than the pitches they have played on. The batting has sometimes seemed panicked and been lethargic. A little rust was expected before the series, but it's almost as if Sri Lanka put their best cricket in cryogenic freeze when they visit India. They have never won an ODI bilateral series in the country, nor a Test.
Even with several second-string players, India have hardly broken a sweat. Three batsmen have collected hundreds, while bowlers like Ishant Sharma and Akshar Patel have begun making a case for World Cup inclusion. The batting, as usual, is rock-solid in India, but the bowlers have remained admirably effective as well.
Beyond the World Cup plans, Virat Kohli has also given a glimpse of the kind of captain he might become. Proactive and instinctive, Kohli's gambles have paid off so far, with the batting-order reshuffles yielding good dividends and bowling changes regularly bringing wickets. Sri Lanka will have to raise their game substantially to test Kohli and his team.
