What did India gain out of the Sri Lanka series?

Another India – Sri Lanka series comes to an end. Such has been the frequency of cricket matches between these two Asian neighbours that sometimes one wonders whether Indian cricketers see their Lankan counter parts more than their friends and family.

Since 1985, when India first played Sri Lanka in a bilateral ODI series in Sri Lanka, India had never won an ODI series against them on their home soil till the MS Dhoni led side won the five match series 3-2 in 2008. That was followed by another 4-1 rout of the hosts in 2009 and now in 2012 another comfortable 4-1 series win in the emerald isles.

While the result itself is big positive considering Indian players were coming out of 5-6 weeks break, what have they gained from this series, individually? For starters, there were no new names who have been the architect of this series win for India.

Brightest spot for India was the form of their vice-captain, Virat Kohli. Kohli continued from where he had left in the last season, undeterred by an indifferent IPL in between. His appetite for big runs was intact and should hold them in good stead with the long home season comprising of 10 test matches coming up. Another positive for India was to see Gautam Gambhir letting his bat do the talking. He played 3 knocks under crucial situations which was a welcome change after a forgettable last season. Suresh Raina found his rhythm and runs which is very important for India’s ODI plans, because he along with MS Dhoni form a lethal finishing combination in a one day innings. Manoj Tiwary grabbed couple of chances that came his way and has ensured that he will be in India’s ODI’s plans atleast for the next series (which will be surprisingly in December against Pakistan) lest there is a dramatic slide in his form in the interim.