Sri Lanka vs India: Unattended document leaks Virat Kohli and Co's Galle Test plans

Galle: Virat Kohli-led unit tasted unprecedented success as India demolished Sri Lanka in all the matches – three Tests, five ODIs and a solitary Twenty20 – on the recently concluded Sri Lanka versus India series. India hammered Sri Lanka and returned home with an impressive 9-0 scoreline.

Like any other teams, India too had a plan in place for their opposition and going by the results, it is clear that India executed all the plans really well.

While the team plans remain strictly a secret, Indian team’s plans have now came out in open via an unattended document.

A Twitter user named Hugo Lewis, on Friday, posted a photo, tagging Sri Lankan cricketer writer Andrew Fernando, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) board.

The tweet read: “.@andrewffernando Not sure this was supposed to be left lying around post-Test Galle Intl 😉 @officialslc @BCCI #slvIND #redbullcampuscricket.”

India, followed by a warm-up game against the Sri Lanka Board Presidents XI, began the Test series in Galle. The Kohli-led Indian cricket team, who had lost the last Test it played at the same venue in 2015, outplayed the Rangana Herath-led side and won the opening Test by 304 runs.

The leaked document makes it clear that India had a detailed plan for every Sri Lankan batsmen.

Here’s what that document reads:

Dimuth Karunaratne

Pace:- Back of Length 4th Stump Line angling across LBW & NICK OFF Candidate.

Spin:- Scaring Areas- Looks to play down the wicket. On the off side looking to play more on the back foot. Doesn’t seem to play the sweep shot.

Uput Tharanga

Pace:- Plays from within the crease, can bowl fuller length angling across.

Spin:- Scaring areas – Looks to play in the front of wkt (From covrs to mid wicket). Likes to come down the track. Doesn’t fancy the sweep.

Kusal Mendis

Pace:- Covers the stumps. Back of length straighter lines, he loves to drive on the rise through covers. Compulsive pullers.

Spin:- Compulsive sweeper/slog sweep (From square to mid wkt). Likes to come down the track.

Angelo Mathews

Pace: Back of length 4th stump line (Plays from within the crease) very strong off his legs. Short ball is a good option.

Spin:- Uncomfortable against RAOS with backward and forward short leg. Release shot coming down the track.

Niroshan Dickwella

Pace: Back of length, angling across. Short ball with a leg gully.

Spin: Plays sweep & reverse sweep.

Asela Gunaratne

Pace: Length ball coming in, LBW candidate.

Spin: Favors off side, plays sweep & reverse sweep. Uncomfortable playing middle & leg line.

Dhananjaya De Silva

Pace:- Hard lengths- 4th stump line, very strong of his legs. Compulsive hooker/ puller.

Spin- Loves playing the cut. Consistently steps out to play the lofted shot.

Dilruwan Perera

Pace:- Hard length 4th stump line. Nick off & LBW candidate. Bouncer is a good option.

Spin – Looks to step out, scoring areas are from long to mid wicket. Plays the sweep & slog sweep.