In order to strengthen test rankings, BCCI had been preparing rank turners since last one years, and finally when they opted a green top at Eden Gardens in order to get used for South Africa tour, Sri Lanka bowlers left them red–faced.
Even though the BCCI clarified that The greenish pitch for the first test against Sri Lanka at Eden Gardens, Kolkata has been deliberately prepared to suit fast bowling, there is no denying that the weaknesses if world’s best batting line up has been thoroughly exposed.
Apart from green- top, conditions were also helpful for bowling. After winning the toss, Dinesh Chandimal invited India to bat on a gloomy, overcast first day. That was the ideal platform for Indian batsmen to prove they can play at any kind of surface. Instead, the top order surrendered meekly!
KL Rahul, mysteriously preferred over more accomplished Murali Vijay, lasted for just one ball. That was the ball, he will have to face in every over in South Africa. He couldn’t cope a single delivery. Shikhar Dhawan probably didn’t know that for a change he was playing on a bowling friendly pitch, as he unleashed his extravagant shots way too early and perished. Virat Kohli, the best batsman of modern era, played a nothing shot and scored a duck. Ajinkya Rahane attempted cover drive to a ball pitched outside off and perished.
On third morning, when the pitch finally started to eased off, Cheteshwar Pujara completely beaten to a big indeeper by Lahiru Gamage and his stumps shattered!
These five batsmen are the most certain to play against South Africa as well. Suranga Lakmal, Dasun Shanaka and Lahiru Gamage showed all of them, they are not ready to challenge South Africa at their home soil, yet!
