Sri Lanka well poised to challenge India

A statistical preview to the three-Test series between India and Sri Lanka

15-Nov-2009

Sri Lanka have had far more experience playing Tests this year than their opponents. While India have the comfort of a superior record at home, they've only played three Tests in 2009. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have played eight and will feel confident of rectifying their record in the country. We look at some important statistics ahead of the first Test in Ahmedabad.

The teams have played 29 Tests, of which India have won 11 and Sri Lanka five. India have an unblemished record at home, winning eight of the 14 games and drawing six. Sri Lanka, on their previous visit to India, were beaten 0-2. In 2009, India have played just three Tests and won one, against New Zealand. Sri Lanka have enjoyed an unbeaten run this year, with five wins out of eight games, including three series victories.

Tendulkar has the best average among Indian batsmen against Sri Lanka, with 56.32 for his 1408 runs. Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh also average above 50, while Rahul Dravid has managed 44.80 in 14 Tests. At home, however, Tendulkar experiences a significant blip while Sehwag, with an average of 18.66, and Gambhir, with 10.80, do far worse.

The Indian batsmen tasted plenty of success on the tour of New Zealand. Gautam Gambhir was the most prolific, hammering two centuries and averaging 89. Five out of seven frontline batsmen averaged over 50, Sehwag and Yuvraj being the exceptions.

For Sri Lanka, Thilan Samaraweera has been unstoppable. He's the highest run-getter this year, taking full toll of favourable subcontinental conditions, and averages a staggering 83.30 in just eight Tests. Tillakaratne Dilshan has succeeded in his role as opener in all forms of the game, and has impressed with 849 runs this year with an average of 70.75 and backed it up with a strike-rate of over 85. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara are also in good touch, with strong performances against New Zealand and Pakistan respectively.

Jayawardene has been Sri Lanka's best performer against India, with an average of 68.29, including four centuries and seven fifties. Sangakkara hasn't done badly either, while Samaraweera and Dilshan both average above 50. Their record in India, however, has been below-par. Sangakkara (24.80) and Samaraweera (10.80) have struggled. Others, like Prasanna Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews and Tharanga Paranavitana are yet to play in India.

Harbhajan Singh tops the wickets tally for India this year. But his performances in one-dayers have come in for criticism. Zaheer Khan, who has recovered from his shoulder injury, too, played an important role in New Zealand, taking 13 wickets at 30.76. Sreesanth makes a comeback after more than a year while the spin duo of Pragyan Ojha and Amit Mishra haven't played a Test in 2009.

Among the frontline bowlers in the Indian squad, only Harbhajan, Zaheer and Ishant Sharma have played a Test against Sri Lanka. All three average above 30; at home, Harbhajan's the only bowler to have played them, and he's done far better, taking 14 wickes at 22.28.

Rangana Herath has been the foremost among Sri Lanka's new stars. He's grabbed 23 wickets at 26.65 this year, while their pace bowlers, Thilan Thushara, and especially Nuwan Kulasekara, have been highly effective. Murali's not had his best year; he averages 35.52, and has limited success against India. He averages 39.58 in India and will want to make amends on what could perhaps be his last overseas tour. Ajantha Mendis' form has declined rapidly while Dammika Prasad will have fond memories of his performance in the third Test against India last year, when he grabbed five wickets in the game on debut.(Click here for Sri Lanka's bowling record against India.)

Laxman has handled Murali particularly well, averaging 72 against him, while Sehwag has done better with 85. Murali's had the wood on Tendulkar, whom he's dismissed five times at an average of 16.80, as well as Dravid, who's fallen to him seven times, averaging 28.85. Sehwag has dominated Mendis, scoring 77 in 84 balls without being dismissed and Tendulkar, too, has played him well, averaging 57. But the others have struggled; Laxman has been dismissed five times, and Dravid on four occasions - both average under 17. Gambhir, like against Murali, has been snared thrice, at 27.33

Jayawardene has excelled against Harbhajan, averaging 83.33, while both Dilshan and Sangakkara average over 60. Harbhajan has had more success against Samaraweera, taking his wicket thrice at 37 but has troubled Prasanna Jayawardene the most, accounting for him thrice at 13. Zaheer has done better against the Sri Lankan top order, snapping Sangakkara on four occasions at 27.50. He's dismissed Samaraweera twice at 31 but Jayawardene, again, has dealt with him comfortably, scoring 104 runs and being dismissed just once.

India have played nine Tests at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad, winning three and losing two. They played Sri Lanka here in 2005, and won convincingly, by 259 runs. They returned three years later and were bowled out for 76 on the first day against South Africa to lose by an innings.

The statistics at the venue indicate the Test against South Africa last year was somewhat of an aberration. The trend has generally been that bowlers have derived more out of the conditions as the game has progressed. The first innings has been the most productive, with teams averaging 42.38 per wicket. It drops down to 30.32 in the second, 29.77 in the third and 23.14 in the fourth.

Teams have opted to bat eight out of nine occasions in Ahmedabad, winning twice and losing as many times. The only time a team opted to field, it won, in the very first game to be held at he venue.

Ajantha Mendis Muthiah Muralidaran Virender Sehwag Zaheer Khan Sri Lanka India Sri Lanka tour of India

Siddhartha Talya is an editorial assistant at Cricinfo