India entered the series against Sri Lanka a day after the Indian Premier League (IPL) player auctions. Every India player arrived in Pune with hefty sums assigned against their name.
Sri Lanka players by contrast were the least favoured in Sunday’s auction, may be only ahead of the Pakistani lot who were not even part of the auction process.
Only two Sri Lanka players – Lasith Malinga and Thisara Perera – will be part of the IPL this time.
Forward to Tuesday and all the depleted Sri Lanka required were two greenhorns to leave an India side, fresh from defeating Australia 3-0 in their den, reeling.
A spate of injuries has meant there are quite a few inexperienced players in the Sri Lankan ranks.
Stand-in skipper Dinesh Chandimal handed debuts to two players and gave chance to a third who had played just one Twenty20 international.