0-0 draw in Ind SL series
The first test match of the three test series between India and Sri Lanka seems to be heading towards a draw. With only 68 overs being bowled in the first day and the entire morning session on 2nd day lost due to rains a draw seems inevitable.
To begin with Sri Lanka who chose to bat first after winning the toss comfortably played the second string Indian attack and to be fair to this second string attack, the first string bowling attack at our disposal would not have worried the Sri Lanka batsmen either. While skipper Sangakkara strolled to yet another century, his 22nd in Test Cricket, Panavitarana could not get have asked a more friendlier bowling attack to record his maiden test hundred.
While it is impossible for India to win the first test after having been forced to field first after losing the toss, Sri Lankans chances of pushing for a win too have receded as Sri Lankans cannot go for a declaration without posting a mammoth considering the might of Indian batting. Posting a mammoth total would mean less number of overs at their disposal to bundle out the Indians twice in the match and it is not the easiest of things for any team in the world to bundle out the formidable Indian batting line up twice in the match.
India could not have asked for a better situation because there is no pressure on their batsman to take risks as the situation demands them to play safe and simply bat out the overs. This is the right time for batsmen to get into form and in the process go for personal milestones and improve their career averages. The Indians just need to play out Murali because they know that there is no bite whatsoever at the other end. While rains have doused Sri Lankans aspirations of a win to go ahead 1-0 in the series and take a mental head start, it in also likelihood is going to play spoilsport to Muralis ambitions of finishing his career with 800 wickets. There would be not be any free wickets for Murali in this match as Indian batsmen will play safe and that cuts down opportunities for Murali. Another factor which goes against Murali is that he may get to bowl against Indians only in first innings in this Test.
If the first test were to be drawn because of the rain, then in all probability the remaining two tests will be drawn as subsequent to Muralis retirement both teams do not have the arsenal to take 20 opposition wickets to win match.
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