Playing their first of three games at Galle, Indian team’s exceptional bowling and above average batting had raised hopes that under Kohli’s captaincy, the team might finally witness a purple patch outside home in tests but that wasn’t meant to be. It could have been the perfect Independence Day gift to the nation but the team quickly lost the plot as soon as they appeared to have gripped the game.
Hope Team India wins SL test on Independence Day and don't lose their way!
— Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (@kiranshaw) August 15, 2015
In the second innings, India folded up for a mere 112 on the fourth day after lunch, with Sri Lankan spinner Rangana Herath, who was wicketless in the first innings, ending with 7/48. Earlier, Dinesh Chandimal led the Lankan effort with a brilliant 162 run knock off just 169 balls as the Lankan lions ended giving Indians a competent total to win and then handed them a defeat that no one could see coming – in the first three days at least. But, then, that’s what Test cricket is all about.
India may not have got an independence day present but at Sri Lanka gave its double-ton-specialist batsman Kumar Sangakkara a perfect farewell with a thumping win in his final game.
While pundits of the game called the last two sessions that spelled doom for India a "disaster", Indian team’s thrashing at the hands of a young Lankan team has raised questions over Kohli’s capabilities as a test captain. On twitter, though, it was business as usual as humour kept pace with the fall of wickets. Here’s a selection:
Aur phir kaisa diya, India? #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/VsOG9ANAHR
— Aman (@LalaLoyalist) August 15, 2015
Look at the brighter side, without Rohit Sharma's valuable innings of 9 & 4 we would have lost by 76 runs. #INDvsSL
— Swami (@mohitraj) August 15, 2015
MS Dhoni right now....!! #IndVsSL . pic.twitter.com/holoqOyKCh
— Phd in Bakchodi !! (@Atheist_Krishna) August 15, 2015
Dhoni and Raina reacting to India's performance #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/DrgVfEvPrF
— देसी बंदा (@KommonIndianMan) August 15, 2015
#IndVsSL India's performance summary: First innings: Played like Central-BJP. Second innings: Played like Delhi-BJP
— Faad Dunga BC (@naalaYUCK) August 15, 2015
NO COMMENTS #IndvsSL pic.twitter.com/xQpoJ05qg9
— MERLY (@m_vincik) August 15, 2015
This is what happened to Indian line-up at Galle. #INDvsSL pic.twitter.com/eDBMG6YJUL
— Abhishek Joshi (@kaalicharan) August 15, 2015
One can understand why Harbhajan was so reluctant to walk when given out. He knew deep down that his Test career had ended. #INDvsSL
— Rameshwar Singh (@RSingh6969a) August 15, 2015