Historically, Indian teams have had a surprisingly tough time touring Sri Lanka. And this time around, the onus will be on the pacers to turn things around for Anil Kumble’s squad.

MUCH too obsessed with the cricket-playing nation to our immediate west, trips to the island down south come sans hype or anticipation. Tales about Indian cricketers’ bravado in Sri Lanka aren’t the feature topics on expert discussions or even at road-side fan forums. But that’s also to do with the fact that Lanka has been a ‘teardrop’ Island for India in more ways than one.
It was India who helped Sri Lanka open their Test account in international cricket, courtesy their surprise 0-1 loss in the 1985-86 series. Since then, but for a couple of highs, it has been a similar sob story. In the five Test series India have played there, they have lost two and won one. And the total Test-win count is an abysmal two. The solo series win came in 1993 when Manoj Prabhakar, with 12 wickets in three Tests, had swung it for India. Eight years later, another pacer, Zaheer Khan with seven wickets, gave India their second Test victory. Still, the eventual result of the series was in Sri Lanka’s favour.
With such a past, it is easy to say that things wouldn’t be easy for Anil Kumble, who leads Team India’s latest crossover down south. In a squad that has seniors with proven Test credentials, the batting line-up seems capable of negotiating the tricky Lankan bowling trio of Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas and Ajantha Mendis. But is the bowling attack good enough to take 20 wickets in a Test?
Since it was the pacers who were responsible for India’s past triumphs, it seems only wise to take stock of the department that will handle the new ball. During recent away tours, the speedsters have come out as heroes. But can they do it one more time? The jury is out on that one. Here’s offering the arguments that might help one get an answer to this most vital question.

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