Some of these figures had been first highlighted in an article by cricket writer Rahul Bhattacharya more than three years ago. The Galle Test shows that nothing has changed since then. In fact, with Sehwag accounting for 61.09 percent of the team’s total and being involved in an opening stand of 167 — his second-highest for India away from home — things have only become worse as his team mates continue to fritter away the advantage.

Why does this happen time and again? There will be lots of theories, I’m sure, that’s what cricket is all about. But somehow none of them will ever make too much sense to me. Having runs on the board when you step in to bat can only be an advantage, any way you look at it.

kunal.pradhan@expressindia.com