Yet another disappointing bowling and fielding display by the Indian team which saw them suffer a 2-wicket loss at the hands of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka are now guaranteed a place in the final of this year’s Asia Cup and the match between India and Pakistan will decide the fate for the spot of the 2nd contender in the finals.
Here’s a look back at today’s match with a view of some minor alterations in the script making up our customary ‘What if’ situations.
1. What if Ishwar Pandey or Amit Mishra started ahead of Stuart Binny –
Once again the mystery as to what role does Stuart Binny actually play in the Indian side was left unsolved. Is he a batsman who can bowl if needed or a bowler who can bat a bit or neither? Coming in at number 8 and bowling a mere 4 overs doesn’t clear any of the doubts which already floated in everyone’s minds. The pitch was clearly favorable to the spinners and if not for Ishwar Pandey, who deserves a starting slot, at the least had Amit Mishra played on that track, India could have had a much better chance of defending the total.
2. What if Dinesh Karthik had not missed the stumping –
Though Kumar Sangakkara’s innings was flawless all through the chase but he did present that one chance to the Indian’s to get his wicket in the 30th over. DInesh Karthik though, missed a sitter and made a hash of that stumping opportunity and gifted the talented Sri Lankan another life and in-turn gift wrapped the game to the Lankans. ‘What if’ Sangakkara was dismissed then? It’s very likely that the result could’ve changed it’s plane in India’s favor.
3. What if Shikhar Dhawan had fielded better –
Two catches dropped and some sloppy piece of fielding in the outfield which presented Sangakkara his century, costing India a vital boundary in the 49th over. Had it not been for those extra 2-3 runs in the 49th over the equation could have well been 9 runs in 10 balls with 2 wickets remaining and new man Mendis on strike. For a pure batsman, it’d still be easy but for a tailender it’d certainly ruffle a fair feathers or nerves. Also the first delivery of the last over, Dhawan dropped a sitter at mid-on with Perera the exempted party in this case. Yes, it was just 1 run needed off the last over but had the catch been taken it would have been 1 run needed off 5 deliveries with 1 wicket needed for a tie. ‘What if’ the fielding was a bit better? What if India notched up the pressure instead of letting chances slip away?
