The sense of having missed out must be the dominant theme in the Indian dressing room, though a gloomy day two at the NCC ground was lit up by the incandescence of Sachin Tendulkar on Saturday afternoon.
A couple of freak dismissals, one ordinary decision and a second poor stroke to go with Gautam Gambhir's gift the previous evening meant no one else in the top-six made a meaningful contribution. Admittedly, there is no substitute for time spent in the middle, but the Indians have traditionally been slow starters and consequently, they will hardly panic at having reached only 196 for eight against the Sri Lanka Board XI.
Tendulkar was brilliance personified as he put the Board XI attack in its place with an innings full of glorious driving. Having opted out of the tri-series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in Pakistan with a groin injury, it was important for the little man to slip into the groove straightaway. He did so effortlessly, eliciting oohs and aahs from a sparse but wide-eyed holiday gathering.
Tendulkar wasn't India's lone bright spot as Dinesh Kaarthick ensured that the lower half showed more spunk. The Tamil Nadu stumper knows he owes his good fortune to Mahendra Singh Dhoni's voluntary absence. Appearing determined to cash in, he pieced together a pleasing unbeaten half-century that should do his confidence a world of good.
Play didn't get under way till 2.00 pm, thanks to sharp early morning showers.
The efforts of a harsh mid-morning sun and the tireless ground staff meant India would get their opportunity for batting practice, just as Dilhara Fernando would not be deprived of making a strong statement ahead of the Lankan team selection.
Fernando worked up good pace in his first spell, though he was guilty of banging it in too short far too often. Virender Sehwag negotiated the bouncers with characteristic aplomb, and appeared eager to force the pace. Looking in extremely good touch, he had the mortification of seeing a blazing straight drive deflecting off Fernando's hands on to the stumps at the non-striker's end to catch a backing-up Rahul Dravid short of his crease.
It wasn't the only bizarre dismissal of the day. VVS Laxman emulated his good mate as he played back to Dammika Prasad second ball, and saw the ball break his bat upon contact. The broken piece flew in one direction, the ball carried on and hit the stumps.
By then, Sehwag had been adjudged leg before to Rangana Herath, and Sourav Ganguly played a tame pull off Prasad to square-leg. Even with Tendulkar looking in the mood, India were in danger of being embarrassed at 80 for six when Kaarthick strode out to provide support. The master was in complete command and his dismissal, edging a cut off leggie Seekkuge Prasanna to the 'keeper came as a massive surprise.
Prasad had the best figures (3-30), but no prizes for guessing who was the impact player of the day!
SRI LANKA BOARD XI (I Innings): 224 all out in 71.5 overs
INDIANS (I Innings, O/n: 4/1): Gambhir c Mubarak b Fernando 4, Sehwag lbw Herath 27, Dravid (run out) 5, Tendulkar c K Silva b Prasanna 69, Ganguly c Udawatte b Prasad 14, Laxman b Prasad 0, Kaarthick (batting) 58, Harbhajan c Udawatte b Fernando 12, Zaheer c Sujeewa b Prasad 1. Extras (B-4, NB-2) 6. Total (for 8 wkts, 49 overs) 196.
Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-27, 3-58, 4-80, 5-80, 6-142, 7-172, 8-196.
Bowling: Dilhara Fernando 10-1-27-2, Sujeewa Silva 10-0-51-0, Dammika Prasad 8-2-30-3, Rangana Herath 13-3-59-1, Seekkuge Prasanna 8-2-25-1.
