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India vs Sri Lanka 2015-16, 2nd T20I at Ranchi: Five things the hosts must do to win

Hopefully, the Indian team will get their homework done ahead of the next game at Ranchi and follow this five-point formula to win.

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In absence of Virat Kohli, Indian batsmen need to be more responsible in the remaining T20Is against Sri Lanka. © Getty Images.
In absence of Virat Kohli, Indian batsmen need to be more responsible in the remaining T20Is against Sri Lanka. © Getty Images.

After a dream run in the second half of their Australian sojourn, which saw them win four consecutive games against the mighty Australians, the Indians were on a high. Ahead of a busy Twenty20 (T20) schedule that involved the T20 International (T20I) series against Sri Lanka, the Asia Cup, ICC World T20 and finally the ninth season of Indian Premier League (IPL), it seemed that Team India had found the winning formula in the shortest format when they blanked Australia 3-0. But things changed way too quickly for them when they landed on home soil, as their neighbours showed them it is not going to be a cakewalk to get past them, even as they fielded a weak side. India, after losing the Pune T20I, are now headed to Ranchi for the second game. It is important they analyse the reasons for their loss and find the winning formula on home soil, Chinmay Jawalekar opines while stating five things the hosts can do in order to conquer Ranchi. Full Cricket Scorecard: India vs Sri Lanka 2015-16, 2nd T20I at Ranchi.

1.  Bat responsibly: The Indian batsmen did not bat responsibly in the first match. After losing two quick wickets of in-form Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane in the first over, there was a need to be calm and bring extra caution in the game. But Shikhar Dhawan got out trying to hit a big shot when in the same over Suresh Raina had hit a six and a boundary, which meant there were enough runs scored in that over and there was no need to take any risk. This concern needs to be addressed in order to win the second T20I. READ: Virat Kohli’s absence presents stern test for Indian batsmen against Sri Lanka.

2.  Respect the opposition bowlers: The pitch at Pune was lively with ample grass on it. It was assisting the pacers with the seam movement and bounce it offered. In unwanted conditions, Indians were up against a seam attack that had faces unknown to them. While Dushmantha Chameera had played one Test against them, Kasun Rajitha was making his debut and Dasun Chanaka was playing only his second career match. But by the time India’s innings ended, these newcomers had shared eight out of 10 wickets between them, including Rajitha’s Man-of-the-Match winning 3 for 29. The Indian batsmen certainly lacked respect for the rookies and went about playing insensible shots, which brought their downfall. They need to learn their lessons before taking field in the next game. READ: India vs Sri Lanka 2015-16, 2nd T20I at Ranchi: Rohit Sharma vs Kasun Rajitha, Suresh Raina vs Dasun Shanaka, and other Key Battles.

3.  Make smart calculations: While batting first on a pitch that was not batting friendly, Indians should have made smart calculations with respect to a par score. Instead, they kept playing their shots and thus ended well below a winning total. The miscalculations did not end here. While defending a small total, MS Dhoni should have made optimum use of his best bowlers Ashish Nehra, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. But by the time the match finished in the 18th over, these three strike bowlers had three overs left between them from their quota. Also Ashwin, who was introduced quite late in the match in the 12th over, took wicket of his third ball, showing just why he should have been brought into the attack earlier. Dhoni needs to be careful with the calculations in his hometown. READ: India vs Sri Lanka 2016, 2nd T20I at Ranchi: Sri Lanka likely XI.

4.  Surprise the opposition: While Sri Lanka surprised the Indians with a new and fresh set of players and strategies, Indians more or less had the players who Sri Lanka have played against and are well aware of. Barring Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, India had no surprises in store for the Lankans. But once Pandya failed with the bat, there was little for him to do in the contest while Bumrah was decent with the ball. India can consider playing uncapped Pawan Negi, who has the ability to surprise with both bat and ball in home conditions. Dhoni can also think of out-of-the-box ideas like opening the bowling with Ashwin or sending Pandya up the order with the license to kill.

5.  Get rid of the Australian hangover: Finally, the Indian team must get over their Australian hangover. The Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar aptly summarised it when he said on India’s performance, “I think there was a bit of a hangover of playing in Australia where you play a little bit on the up and don’t really lean into the drive which is what was needed on a surface like this. Instead of playing upright, leaning closer to ball would have helped. I don’t think it was an impossible pitch to bat on, I think there was just a little bit of movement which is what you would get even on a grass-less pitch, particularly when you play at 7.30 in the evening the dew will make the ball move around just that little bit.”

Hopefully, the Indian team will get their homework done ahead of the next game at Ranchi and follow this five-point formula to win.

(A self-confessed cricket freak, Chinmay Jawalekar is a senior writer with CricLife and CricketCountry. When not writing or following cricket, he loves to read, eat and sleep. He can be followed here @CricfreakTweets)

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