Strategies Sri Lanka Must Employ to Achieve a Historic Series Win Against India

It’s a rare and thrilling scenario when two full-member, World Cup-winning nations clash in a bilateral white-ball series, especially when one of the teams is on the brink of making history. This is the backdrop for the decisive match between India and Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday, August 7. For Sri Lanka, this is not just another series; it’s an opportunity to achieve a long-awaited milestone.

Off-spinner Washington Sundar emerged as a significant threat in the second ODI, claiming three crucial wickets for just 30 runs in his 10 overs. While Sundar’s performance was commendable, it was also a result of Sri Lankan batters’ overly aggressive approach. They attempted pre-meditated sweeps and step-out drives, which led to their downfall against his varied pace and quick, flat deliveries.

To counter Sundar, Sri Lanka must adopt a more patient and calculated strategy. Instead of trying to dominate him with aggressive shots, they should focus on working the ball around calmly, avoiding the build-up of dot balls. By waiting for the inevitable loose deliveries, they can capitalize on scoring opportunities without losing wickets. Sri Lanka’s batsmen must remember that playing sensibly against Sundar is crucial, as India’s other two spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, appeared more manageable in the previous encounters. 

Arshdeep Singh, appeared to lack confidence in the second ODI. Despite bowling in all phases of the match, he failed to take any wickets. His body language indicated that he was still shaken by his missed slog on the last ball of the first ODI, which resulted in a tie instead of a victory for India. This loss of confidence led to loose deliveries during the powerplay and ineffective plans at the death.

Sri Lanka must exploit this vulnerability by targeting Arshdeep with calculated aggression. This doesn’t mean trying to hit him out of the park from the first ball but instead looking to score at more than a run-a-ball against him. By putting pressure on Arshdeep, they can force him into making more mistakes, thereby increasing their scoring opportunities. The best teams capitalize on their opponents’ weaknesses, and for Sri Lanka, exploiting Arshdeep’s current form could be a decisive factor in the match.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, has been in good form, scoring two half-centuries in the first two ODIs. Despite this, Sri Lanka managed to avoid defeat. However, allowing Rohit another substantial innings could be detrimental, as he has the potential to score big and push the game out of Sri Lanka’s reach.

To counter Rohit, Sri Lanka needs to refine their bowling strategy. In the second ODI, they opened with pacer Asitha Fernando and left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage, a tactic that backfired since Rohit has yet to be dismissed by left-arm spin in ODI powerplays. Instead, Sri Lanka should consider using right-arm orthodox bowlers, as Rohit averages just 35.2 against this style. Off-spinners, in particular, can trouble him early in the innings.

By introducing either Akila Dhananjaya or Kamindu Mendis early on, alongside Fernando, Sri Lanka can exploit Rohit’s vulnerability to off-spin. Tying him down with disciplined bowling and targeting his known weaknesses could lead to an early dismissal, significantly boosting Sri Lanka’s chances of gaining the upper hand in the match.

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