Sri Lanka v India, 2012

One-day internationals (5): Sri Lanka 1, India 4
Twenty20 international (1): Sri Lanka 0, India 1

	Virat Kohli: a fine finisher © AFP Enlarge
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If familiarity had bred contempt, no one could have blamed Sri Lanka or India. This was their fourth bilateral one-day series since 2008, to go with four triangular tournaments. The main reason for this overkill has been Sri Lanka Cricket's financial problems, which left them heavily dependent on the goodwill of their Indian counterparts.

The inevitable quid pro quo is that SLC have usually felt obliged to toe the BCCI's line: in 2009, for example, Sri Lanka's proposed tour of England was called off so their best cricketers could play throughout the IPL. This encounter, it seemed, allowed India to return the favour. It was originally slated as a Test series, but the Sri Lankan authorities judged that five one-day internationals, and a single game of Twenty20, would be more lucrative - although the first two matches, in rural Hambantota (about 150 miles from Colombo by road), were poorly attended.

The BCCI's implacable opposition to the Decision Review System was a constant source of debate. The Sri Lankans felt they were hard done by on several occasions, and by the fourth match Mahela Jayawardene could hold his tongue no longer: a confident caught-behind appeal against Suresh Raina was turned down when he had made only two; he went on to smash an unbeaten 58 to help India seal the series. "I thought we had Suresh caught behind," grumbled Jayawardene. "I don't know how much I have to say this. I preferred DRS from the beginning."

India's star performer was Virat Kohli, who had hardly looked back since being named vice-captain in March. Here he accumulated 364 runs in the six matches, and was a well-deserved Man of the Series in both the 50- and 20- overs games (the lone Twenty20 game really did have separate match and series awards). Kohli's focus and attitude stood out, and he showed he had become a fine finisher. He scored his 12th and 13th one-day hundreds: only Sachin Tendulkar (14) had made more before turning 24.

But despite the scoreline, it was not all good news for India. Rohit Sharma - only 25, but a veteran of 85 one-day internationals - was a flop, managing 13 runs in five innings. India persisted with him, though, with Gautam Gambhir saying he had batted better in the nets than anyone. It was frustrating for Manoj Tiwary, who sat out the first three matches.

The final one-day international was a sign of things to come in Sri Lanka. Jayawardene was rested, Kumar Sangakkara absent after breaking a finger in the third match, and Tillekeratne Dilshan out for a duck. Angelo Mathews took charge for the first time, and did well with his bowling changes and field placings. He did, however, cop a fine for a slow over-rate. In that match, Sri Lanka's other young guns - Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeewan Mendis and Tissara Perera - fought tenaciously before coming up just short, but their performances reassured home fans there was hope.

For another old hand, though, there were ominous signs. Lasith Malinga proved expensive and, although he reached 200 one-day wickets in the final match, he was not helped by the new regulation providing two new balls, which did not deteriorate enough for him to find his trademark reverse-swing at the death.

Match reports for

1st ODI: Sri Lanka v India at Hambantota, Jul 21, 2012
Report | Scorecard

2nd ODI: Sri Lanka v India at Hambantota, Jul 24, 2012
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3rd ODI: Sri Lanka v India at Colombo (RPS), Jul 28, 2012
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4th ODI: Sri Lanka v India at Colombo (RPS), Jul 31, 2012
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5th ODI: Sri Lanka v India at Pallekele, Aug 4, 2012
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Only T20I: Sri Lanka v India at Pallekele, Aug 7, 2012
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