Sri Lanka vs India Second Test 2008: Spinners on Action

Yes, spinners are currently dominating in the ongoing second test at Galle. Except outstanding Sehwag, batsmen on both sides struggled against the spinners so far in the match. The wicket seems to be much more helpful for the spinners than what was expected. Spinners are getting turn and it is pretty sure, batsmen will find it very difficult to face the spinner in the fourth and fifth days.

Ajanta Mendis took six wickets, his first five-wicket haul in test cricket, in India’s first innings, helping Sri Lanka restrict India’s first innings at 329. The pace and variation Mendis brought in his bowling made the task harder for the Indian batsmen. Moreover, Mendis always bowls very close to the wicket- thus increasing the chance of LBW and bold.

In the final session, it was all about spinner Harbhajan Singh, who picked up four out of five wickets Sri Lanka lost today. Harbhajan also bowled with enough pace, besides maintaining sheer line and length. So, apparently, spinners are getting help from the wicket. It seems to be an alarming situation for the batsmen. Here, remember that Muttiah Muralitharan and Anil Kumble, the two most experienced bowlers in the match, are yet to come out with their real form in the match. So, the remaining three days seem to be very challenging for the batsmen.