India vs Sri Lanka: Three biggest positives for India after SL tour

India’s white-ball series against Sri Lanka is done and dusted. Shikhar Dhawan and Co. did well to win the India vs Sri Lanka ODI series 2-1. They couldn’t replicate a similar performance in the T20 series, however.

Sri Lanka displayed superlative performances to win the series 2-1. With that, the Island nation registered their first bilateral series win against India since 2008. India had their fair share of problems during the T20 series.

Their nine members got ruled out of the series after Krunal Pandya was tested for the Covid-19. As a result, India were only left with 11 players to participate in the last two matches.

Nevertheless, here’s a look at three positives for India after the SL tour:

1. Suryakumar Yadav’s red hot form- the biggest positive for India

Ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled in October, Suryakumar Yadav’s superlative form is perhaps the biggest positive for India. The Indian cricketer looked in scintillating touch in the ODI series.

He made an unbeaten 31 to help India chase down 263 in the first ODI. This was followed by a half-century in the second ODI and 40 off 37 in the last game. In 3 games, he hammered 124 runs at an average of 62 and was also adjudged the player of the series.

In the first T20 international where all the Indian batsmen struggled, Suryakumar Yadav looked at complete ease. He scored 50 off just 33 balls and helped India take 1-0 lead in the series. Yadav, unfortunately, couldn’t participate in the last two games of the tour.

2. Indian spinners looked on top:

All the Indian spinners were brilliant on the Sri Lankan tour. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal spun a web around the opposition in the ODI series. The duo provided them important breakthroughs at the crucial stages in the game. Yuzvendra Chahal finished the ODI leg with the most scalps. He picked five wickets in 2 games at 20.40.

In the T20s, Rahul Chahar and Varun Chakravarthy showed why they are also in contention for the T20 World Cup. The duo mixed up pretty well and are only going to be better by playing more games ahead. Good returns from all the spinners is a big positive for India keeping in the mind the upcoming T20 World Cup.

3. Hardik Pandya contributing with both bat and ball

Hardik Pandya endured an underwhelming tour of Sri Lanka. His returns with both bat and ball are disappointing. However, the good thing is that the Indian all-rounder bowled in the series. Prior to the start of the series, there were question marks over his fitness as he didn’t bowl a single over for MI in IPL 2021.

Hardik Pandya bowling his quota of overs is a good sign for India as he will be an integral part of India’s team for the T20 World Cup. His recent form, however, has invited a lot of criticism. Hopefully, he will exhibit a better performance with both bat and ball in the second leg of IPL 2021 and regain his lost form.

Also read: WI vs PAK 2nd T20I: Possible Playing 11 of West Indies