West Indies tri-series 2013: Five reasons why India lost against Sri Lanka

2. Top order failure

The chase was going to be a massive task, but the conditions were not too bad for batting and India have done it in the past. They conceded the match without putting up a fight, giving away a bonus point in the process, and that was disappointing.

India had two genuine openers in the side, but they chose to stick with the successful opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. Rohit Sharma is doing just enough to retain his place in this side, and while his recent performances have been admirable he needs to be a lot more consistent.

Virat Kohli was displaced from his usual number three position by Murali VIjay but that move did not work. As the best batsman in this Indian side, Kohli’s success was critical for the chase, and his dismissal was the final nail in the coffin for India.