5 reasons why India cannot take Sri Lanka lightly

Modified Jul 25, 2017 19:49 IST

HerathÃ¢Â€Â™s form can be quite a threat to the Indian batsmen — Herath’s form can be quite a threat to the Indian batsmen

#5 India’s latest record on rank turners is average

AustraliaÃ¢ÂÂs Steve OÃ¢ÂÂKeefe took 12 wickets to rip through India's famed batting line-up — Australia’s Steve O’Keefe took 12 wickets to rip through India's famed batting line-up

Remember the Pune debacle? India were the favourites going into the Border Gavaskar series, but were humiliated by a 333-run loss within three days in the opening Test at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium.

Indian spinners failed to use the pitch to their advantage. Australia’s Steve O’Keefe took 12 wickets to rip through India's famed batting line-up. Indian batters – considered good players of spin, faltered. KL Rahul was the only one to go beyond the score of 50 runs.

Before the Pune debacle, we saw similar stories in Mohali and Nagpur when South Africa toured India in 2015.