India v/s Sri Lanka - Who's the better team

[Arjun]

On another forum, there was a debate on India v/s Sri Lanka - Who's the better team, and how it adds up on each side. But that forum is so slow while typing, I didn't want to say anything there. Who do you think are the better team? And how does it add up?

The Indians have an advantage with the world class batting trio of Sachin, Laxman and Dravid, with the aggressive Sehwag. The Lankans are having problems, with Sanath and Marvan, along with Sangakkara being the only really good batsmen in the side. The bowling is where the Lankans have an edge, with Murali, but he lacks support. Fielding is one area where the Lankans are ahead, since they have no weak links- the Indians have Saurav, Nehra and Kumble and also the wicketkeeper. But the Lankans don't have too many great fielders either- India have Yuvraj, Kaif, Pathan and Balaji. Both sides lack balance, and all-round skills of some players are not used.

 

[Mr. P]

India hands down. Batting too good, Lankan bowling is about equal except Murali

 

[luckyeddie]

Tests

1 Australia 1587 (+20)
2 South Africa 1097 (+4)
3 +2 England 1010 (+71)
4 India 955 (+3)
5 -2 New Zealand 950 (-73)
6 Pakistan 807 (+8)
7 Sri Lanka 721 (+3)
8 West Indies 526 (-18)
9 Zimbabwe 267 (+5)
10 Bangladesh 82 (+41)

ODI's

Total
Australia 1323
South Africa 1177 (-1)
Sri Lanka 1034 (+7)
India 977
Pakistan 936 (-2)
England 925 (+4)
New Zealand 882
West Indies 861 (-4)
Zimbabwe 346 (-17)
Kenya 226 (+1)
Bangladesh 40

You pays your money, you takes your choice

 

[tooextracool]

is there really much of a comparison here?

 

[Jnr.]

India - I don't think SL's bowling will trouble India's batsmen too much.

 

[Loony BoB]

India.

 

[marc71178]

India - I don't think SL's bowling will trouble India's batsmen too much.

And vice versa IMO.

 

[ReallyCrazy]

There is no point in this comparison at the present moment. Maybe 2-3 yrs back, we could have had a debate about who's better. But right now, India is playing really good cricket. I would say India is #2 in the world now

 

[luckyeddie]

There is no point in this comparison at the present moment. Maybe 2-3 yrs back, we could have had a debate about who's better. But right now, India is playing really good cricket. I would say India is #2 in the world now

The tables seem to indicate otherwise (about India being #2 in the world).

 

[a massive zebra]

India.

Much better batting. If you take Murali away better bowling also.

 

[a massive zebra]

There is no point in this comparison at the present moment. Maybe 2-3 yrs back, we could have had a debate about who's better. But right now, India is playing really good cricket. I would say India is #2 in the world now

I agree. Or even #1 because they have had the upper hand in the recent head to heads against the so called best team.

 

[marc71178]

But a great team performs against ALL opposition - India do not.

 

[Langeveldt]

India.. And once Murali goes, we won't even be having this discussion...

 

[JASON]

India is way ahead of lankans in Test cricket. Lankans may be slightly closer but still behind in ODI's.
The Class and quality of Indian top 6, is no comparison to the average Srilankan top order. I tend to think even bowling wise, Murali apart, Indians are way ahead. When an Indian Team plays Kumble and Harbhajan, you have to say even bowling wise India will be way ahead (even with Murali).

 

[Waughney]

India- All the reasons stated above.

 

[chicane]

And vice versa IMO.

As shown in the recent games against them......the champions trophy final, the World cup game etc, isn't it?. And though Indians are good against spin, Murali is still tough and Vaas has done well against us. But overall though, also including fielding and catching, India are considerably better.

 

[Arjun]

I would like to know how the Indian bowlers would perform against Lankan batsmen. They have a weak pace attack and they give away a lot of runs on flat pitches. That said, the Lankans effectively have just 3 batsmen. Good chance for either side to improve those skills.

 

[tooextracool]

I agree. Or even #1 because they have had the upper hand in the recent head to heads against the so called best team.

then it can also be argued that NZ is a better team than india since they had the better of the 2 series against them......

 

[Arjun]

But overall though, also including fielding and catching, India are considerably better.

In the Indian team, Ganguly is a liability on a fielding side- he can't bend to stop a ball. He has dropped a few easy ones, too. Nehra is a joke when without the ball- everyone knows that. Kumble is not that great either. The Lankans are a good fielding side, with only one weak link- Russel Arnold. However, they don't have quick reflex fielders or accurate throwers in their side, while the Indians have a few.

 

[Arjun]

And though Indians are good against spin, Murali is still tough and Vaas has done well against us.

Dilhara Fernando did rather well- even caused quite a few problems against the Indians when they last toured SL. I still don't get it. How did the Indians lose that series, and so meekly? They looked pathetic on that tour.