The smiles were back on the Sri Lankan faces after Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar were consumed at the fag end of the fourth day of the Galle Test. The battle-hardened stalwarts, Tendulkar and Dravid tried their best and worked hard after the Indians were asked to follow-on on a wicket that is slow and low from Day One. <table style="width: 147px; height: 42px" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="147" align="right" border="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td><img alt="" src="/imagedata/2010/jul/Gautam.jpg" border="0" /></td></tr> <tr> <td> Gautam Gambhir walks back after being caught behind offu00a0 Malinga for 0 PIC/AFP</td></tr></tbody></table>Sri Lanka is all set to win the Test unless of course it rains the whole of the fifth day. Whatever be the outcome of this Test, which at the moment is loaded heavily in favour of the Sri Lankans, there is no doubt that the hosts outplayed the visitors in all aspects of the game. Their efforts looked determined and solid. They were committed and disciplined. The Indians on the other hand, looked listless and jaded and might suffer the humiliation of an innings defeat. There's no doubt it was a big toss to win as I guess that was the only way the Lankans could make use of the fresh first day wicket and pile up huge total to put India's famous batting line-up under pressure. To add to their woes, India's fielding and catching was pathetic to say the least and that made the bowling looked less than average. The body language was poor the moment they took to the field on the first day itself. There is talk of India feeling the absence of Zaheer Khan, which I feel speaks poorly not only of lack of bench strength but also inconsistency in selection policies. I feel it's important to allow a newcomer to settle down at the highest level if as a selector, you are convinced that he would deliver now or later. That thinking, I suspect is missing in the wise men of Indian cricket. They need to show better vision and courage of conviction. The bowling needs to be aggressive and purposeful and the fielding sharper. The Indians do carry a bowling and fielding coach besides a trainer and physio but it seems their efforts are falling short as the fielding is below par and most of the bowlers are nursing injuries. The India A team did reasonably well on their recent tour of England. Unfortunately, the performances were not rewarded. If the drying up of a supply line is allowed to continue, India would find it difficult to sustain what they have achieved in the recent past.

The smiles were back on the Sri Lankan faces after Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar were consumed at the fag end of the fourth day of the Galle Test

Indian batting has been listless: Dilip Vengsarkar

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Home / Sports / Cricket / Article / Indian batting has been listless: Dilip Vengsarkar

Indian batting has been listless: Dilip Vengsarkar

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Ganeshotsav 2026