Nidahas Trophy 2018: Four key takeaways for India from first T20 vs Sri Lanka

Resting some of their marquee players for the rather low-key series, India fielded a relatively inexperienced side against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. It was rude awakening for the side as the home team clinically dismantled the Indian bowling to canter to an easy win in 18.3 overs. Following key areas are a cause for concern for the team management going forward in this series:

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#1 Lack of support for Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan stood out with his enterprising 90 off 49 balls

Shikhar Dhawan alone accounted for about over 51 percent of India's score at an impressive strike rate of 183.67. Rest of the Indian batsmen struggled to get going scoring only 74 runs off 71 at a strike rate of only 104.22.

Contrast this with Sri Lankans, whose average strike rate of top 7 batsmen was 149.29 and if we consider only the top 4 it rockets to 161.82. Clearly Indian batsmen failed to build partnerships and once Dhawan went, the team lost out an opportunity to finish strongly in latter stages of the innings.

It resulted in India losing out on those extra 20 runs which could have been the difference on such a flat track.

#2 Scratchy innings by India's number 4

Manish Pandey struggled to time the ball scoring 37 off 35 balls

Manish Pandey aided Shikhar Dhawan in consolidating the innings after the loss of two wickets in the Indian innings. However, Pandey struggled to rotate the strike in his innings resulting in his trying to force the issue once too often which eventually cost him his wicket.

The Karnataka batsman scored 18 runs in boundaries and still managed a strike rate of only 106 which means he got stuck at his end. In the past, the middle-order batsman has been guilty of consuming too many deliveries and throwing his wicket away at the wrong time.

It is high time he find ways of getting off strike early in the innings and take calculated risks so that batsmen at the other end do not feel the pressure.

#3 Kusal Perera's onslaught

Kusal Perera launched a brutal assault on Indian fast bowlers

Kusal Perera demolished Indian pace attack in a display of cavalier strokeplay which had shades of Sanath Jayasurya. His 66 off 37 balls gave Sri Lankans breathing room in their chase of 175. He tore into the inexperienced Indian bowling attack and took particular liking to Shardul Thakur taking 27 off his first over off the match.

His rollicking start with Gunathilaka meant Sri Lanka scored 75 runs in the power play as against 40 by the Indians. In hindsight, the powerplay overs proved to be the difference between the sides.

Inexperience in the bowling attack showed when they were put to the sword by Perera. India needs to rejig their bowling plans to avoid a repeat.

#4 Spinners shine but pacers disappoint

Spinners strangle the middle overs

In both innings, spinners strangled the opposition batsmen with their guile and pace. Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar took 4 wickets for 65 runs in their 8 overs providing India with a glimmer of hope in the match after the fast start. Washington Sundar bowled the powerplay overs with verve and a calm head, while Chahal was at his usual best.

Matches between subcontinental sides results in spinners dominating the proceeding. It is the performance of fast bowlers that make the difference. Hence, India's inexperienced fast bowling attack needs to learn quickly and mend their ways if India has any plans of going deep in this series