Dhoni's Mantra: Demoralize

Strike while the iron is hot, and demoralize. The manner in which Dhoni's men demolished Sri Lanka last evening will take some batting. Even by Australian Standards that seem to have fallen of late, or South African's the one on the ascent.

Sample this. Sehwag & Yuvraj, two men who believe that a dot ball is an insult to batsmankind, are going at over seven an over. Sri Lanka has just finished its bowling power play, and fielders and bowlers alike are looking forward to a respite from the barrage of boundaries and blinding shots.

But that was not to be. Seizing the moment, knowing that the two batsmen on the crease were in a murderous frame of mind, Dhoni decided to massacre Sri Lankan bowling. And massacre the bowling such that the bowlers would have nightmares of these two for some time to come.

By the time the two men vacated the crease for Dhoni, Raina and Yusuf, the damage had become irreparable. Proving the much-repeated point about Dhoni being a cool captain once again.

We know of several captains who have let go of the jugular when they should have slammed the brakes. Not Dhoni. He shall do it, as and when he gets a chance to do so.

He did it against the Aussies in the CB Series, and he did that against the Brits at home. His team reads him well, which is why a Yusuf Pathan comes out with one ball to play and tonks it for six. Bang! The innings is over, and the little happiness  that came England's way when they got a wicket of the penultimate ball of Indian innings evaporated just the way dew drops do on a hot day.

The Sri Lankan team looks demoralized. It was eveident in their bowling, in their dropping catches and missing straighforward chances. More than that, it was evident in the way they batted, and the sheepish expression on Jaywardene's face at the post-match presentation.

What next? Two matches to go, India and Dhoni want to give a game or two to the fringe guys. Will that make it easy for the Lankans? I doubt. The Lankans are down, and the Indians sitting in the dressing room will be pumped up. Those getting a look-in will be surging with confidence as this is a contagious quality. I, for one, wouldn't be surprised if the result of this series is 5-0.