A slide to the back

I went to bed last night soon after Sehwag fell after his 7-run-an-over opening partnership. When I awoke it was 229-9 (after being 92-1 at one stage), and I was provided further proof of a few propositions that are rapidly becoming established this series: Ajantha Mendis is making a spectacular debut, and in so doing, contributing to the overthrow of the Indian middle-order; Gambhir is finding it hard to score a test ton; and Ishant Sharma is fast turning into a Jason Gillespie-style lower-order bat. 249 on the first day of a decisive test, played on a very good pitch, is a not-very-good score, and for now, India have handed over the advantage. Or, rather, Ajantha has strolled up and picked their pockets. Oh, and barring some second-innings heroics, this is also shaping up to be SRT's worst away series in a while.