The failure of the top five batsmen led to Sri Lanka’s defeat to India which was a new look outfit in yesterday’s first of three T20’s at the Wankhede International Cricket Stadium in Mumbai. This terrible setback was well reflected by the individual scores of opening batsman Pathum Nissanka 01 while Kusal Mendis could not translate his 28 to the team cause and Dhananjaya de Silva 8, Charith Asalanka 12 and Bhanuka Rajapaksa 10 in that order underlining the bottom line let down.

On paper, a comparatively on rhythm Lankan outfit that has been gelling together for quite sometime was expected to outwit the new look India conspicuously minus big guns skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. But that the necessary resolve evaporated in the decisive middle was indeed a stumbling block to the Lankan cause to the former world champions insulation following Asia Cup success.

Against such a backdrop, the Lankan top order must necessarily click or better said live up to expectations in the specialist job they have been given the nod by the national selectors to deliver for the country come tomorrow’s second encounter. To see a total melting of the frontline is bad stuff at this level of big stage cricket. Yesterday’s led down does ring a bell to a recent past of the team depending on individual performance to carry the side through. But batting which is the very essence of setting up the road to success cannot succeed to Sri Lanka’s cause without that collective team effort from the top batters in putting on the imperative muscle to becoming a true heavyweight side. Realistically, batting is the centre piece play making name of the game to touching gold in the harsh rigors of top flight cricket in the international hemisphere.

-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-