Virat Kohli’s absence presents stern test for Indian batsmen against Sri Lanka

Indian batting collapsed against two lesser known Sri Lankan bowlers on Tuesday night, and folded for their second-lowest total ever (at home) in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in the first match at Pune. It was certainly a spineless show by the Indians given the fact that they have been on a roll of late and the momentum of winning matches has been on their side. Virat Kohli, who has been deservingly rested, has been the linchpin of India’s success as always was sorely missed by the Indians against Sri Lanka in the first T20I, which gives the idea that India may struggle even more if their batting mainstay is not around. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I at Ranchi

Kohli’s absence cannot be termed as a fault of the selectors. Agreed, it is important for the international cricket teams to build and continue their winning momentum ahead of any global tournament, and India cannot be an exception. The absence of Kohli certainly takes down the Indian batting firepower significantly, but what it also ensures that those who have been around, and those who need to step up, and do what they are required to do.

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The absence of the dependable batsman who provides India stability as well as necessary acceleration in limited-overs cricket demands someone from the top of the order to get more consistent. While Rohit Sharma has been meeting that demand, the inconsistency shown by Shikhar Dhawan has hurt India badly at times. India will certainly be served better if Dhawan and Rohit find their mojo as an opening pair, as their performances will serve as the stepping stones for all of India’s successes. ALSO READ: India show grit and character despite demoralising loss in 1st T20I against Sri Lanka

Then there is Ajinkya Rahane, who has not necessarily been a regular fixture in India’s limited-overs cricket. There is obviously the problem of plenty, and Rahane’s batting style — of not being as aggressive as the others — has hampered his chances. Captain MS Dhoni stated ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka that Rahane will get his chances in this series since Kohli is not there, and the Mumbai batsman faces the sternest of tests.

The roles of Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh become even more critical here. The batsmen in the lower order generally do not get enough overs to try and get their eye in in the twenty-over format, and somewhere they need to adapt Kohli’s trait of starting to score runs right from the word go. Kohli’s role at No. 3 is massive for more than one reason, and it is important that there is a general realisation that their most dependable batsman is not around and those in the side cannot let the momentum slip away. ALSO READ: 10 times Indian batsmen were rocked by rookie bowlers

The series against Sri Lanka may not be of great significance as both the sides are eyeing bigger awards in Asia Cup 2016 and ICC World T20 2016, but they must acknowledge that the three-match affair can do harm if they fail to find balance and momentum. Sri Lanka did extremely well to shoot down a high-flying India in the first game, and it is now the hosts’ turn to prove that defeat in the first T20I was a one-off slip-up.

(Devarchit Varma is senior writer with CricketCountry. He can be followed on Twitter @Devarchit)