Sri Lanka vs India: The Alternative Stats Preview

23. 28

Irfan Pathan’s average as opening bowler in 62 ODIs. In 58 ODIs where he doesn’t open, the man famed for his sexy late swing and even sexier hair averages a whopping 44.06.

Where does the world’s 101st -ranked ODI all-rounder fit into MS Dhoni’s plans?

9

Ravi Jadeja is the world’s 9th best ODI all-rounder, but he has been rested after heroic IPL performances for this series.

Infinity

At the time of writing, Harbhajan has bowled 41 overs for Essex, spanning two first-class games.

He has taken zero wickets, and therefore has an average of ‘infinity’, ‘—-’ or ‘N/A’.

99*

Viru would have had a second century under his belt, but he was left stranded on 99* at Dambulla in 2010, when Randiv bowled that controversial no-ball when only 1 run was required to win.

65

The number of ODI runs that Virender Sehwag has scored in the five ODIs since his world-beating 219 against West Indies last December. He has only played in 10 ODIs in the 15 months since India’s World Cup win.

9 & 12

Despite all the justified hype revolving around his missile yorkers for Mumbai Indians, Malinga’s last ‘clean bowled’ wicket in international cricket was 8 games back in Australia, where he made a mess of both Hussey brothers’ stumps.

Malinga’s last LBW victim was 12 games ago vs India and that batsman was none other than the brave man-on-100-centuries-who-has-better-things-to-do.

0.04

Kumar Sangakkara’s conversion rate in home ODIs – he has just 1 century to 22 fifties under his belt in Sri Lanka, compared to an eminently respectable 12/50 away from home.

324

The number of times during this series that Tony Greig will mention that the juicy king prawns at his hotel are worth trying out if you’re ever in this neck of the woods.

3113

The number of runs that Sachin Tendulkar has scored in ODIs against Sri Lanka. Bravely, he has chosen to opt out of this series in favour of serving the Indian people in his new role as MP.

When I was asked if I wanted to play 5 ODIs in the Sri Lankan heat for the 42nd time in my career, I must admit it was a tough decision. — Sachin Tendulkar (@AlmightySachin) July 20, 2012

41

The number of times that Virat Kohli will swear at an umpire during this series.

by Rajat Sharma