Sri Lanka lost the Test series 1-2, despite coming back from nowhere to win the first Test at Galle. Here's a look at how the players from the team performed during the course of the three Tests.
Angelo Mathews (9/10): Yet again, the Sri Lankan captain was the team's best batsman. With the seniors gone, he has almost single-handedly been making significant contributions with the bat. Not for the first time, his valiant efforts were in vain. With 339 runs at an average of nearly 57 with two centuries, Mathews was clearly the standout performer for Lanka.
Dhammika Prasad (8/10): Take away that bizarre altercation with Ishant Sharma in the final Test, and Prasad will be remembered for his probing spells, and the knack of picking up big wickets. He finished the series with 15 wickets at an average of 23.6, and was potent right through. The delivery he bowled to dismiss Cheteshwar Pujara in the second innings at the SSC was an unplayable one.
Rangana Herath (7/10): In the first innings at Galle, he was mediocre, but turned the match around with his brilliant 7-wicket haul in the second innings to bowl Lanka to victory. He continue to impress in the following matches as well, though the numbers weren't as striking. Herath finished with 15 wickets at an average of 31, and even contributed a vital 49 with the bat.
Nuwan Pradeep (6/10): It was a mixed series for Pradeep when he was available. He got four wickets in the second innings at the SSC, a performance which stood out. There were also probing spells, during which he troubled top batsmen. However, there were also times when he conceded easy boundaries, and was a liability in the field.
Dimuth Karunaratne (3/10): He had a terrible series, managing only 67 runs over the course of three Tests, most of them coming in one innings when he managed to get his eye in. Be it spin or pace, Karunaratne was troubled by both, and the conditions did not help.
Kusal Perera (8/10): A fantastic debut for Perera. His quick half century in the first-innings at the SSC was important in whittling down the Indian lead significantly. In the second, he gave India a serious scare during that partnership with Mathews, before that reverse sweep killed it all.
Dinesh Chandimal (6/10): Chandimal will be remembered for two things from the series -- his spectacular 162, which turned around the Galle Test, and his altercation with Ishant Sharma, during which he brushed past the bowler. While that knock was special, he wasn't consistent thereafter.
Kaushal Silva (2/10): Like Karunaratne, he also had an extremely forgettable series. He got a half-century in the second Test, yet he finished with poor returns of merely 87 runs. Considering his talent, he ought to have done much better.
Kumar Sangakkara (4/10): The retiring legend could not bow out on a high. He got himself into a complete tangle against Ravichandran Ashwin. Sangakkara made 40 in the second innings at Galle, but managed only 95 runs in the entire series. He would be remembered for more stellar feats though.
Tharindu Kaushal (4/10): It was a mixed series for Kaushal. He bowled reasonably well to support Herath at Galle, but was easily dealt with otherwise. Kaushal still finished with 13 wickets, which should please him. What won't please him is the fact that his action has come under scrutiny.
Lahiru Thirimanne (3/10): He is a talented batsman no doubt, but did not show many glimpses against India. Apart from the 44 at Galle, he was a walking wicket. Thirimanne ended with 142 runs averaging 23.
Jehan Mubarak (2/10): Similar to Thirimanne, he made 49 to support Chandimal at Galle, but did not do anything else, ending with only 71 runs.
Upul Tharanga (1/10): He had a torturous time. The ball kept finding the edge of the bat, and heading to safe hands behind the stumps. Four runs was all he managed in the game he played at the SSC.
-- By A Cricket Analyst
