"Sri Lanka is playing at the level of a Ranji Trophy team" - Aakash Chopra lambasts visitors' performance in the 2nd Ind vs SL Test

Aakash Chopra has lambasted Sri Lanka's performance on Day 1 of the ongoing second Test against Team India and compared them to a Ranji side.

The Sri Lankan team allowed India to reach a slightly above-par score of 252 runs in their first innings on a crumbling surface. Their batters were then blown away as the visitors were reduced to a score of 86/6 by the close of play on Day 1.

While reviewing the first day's play in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was extremely critical of the Sri Lankan performance. He said:

"What is this Sri Lankan team? Sri Lanka has been very poor. Individually the names are good but collectively they have absolutely disappointed. Sri Lanka is playing at the level of a Ranji Trophy team."

While acknowledging that Dimuth Karunaratne's side have been hit hard by injuries, the former India opener feels the visitors are no competition for the hosts. Aakash Chopra observed:

"Agree there are some injuries - Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera and Pathum Nissanka are not there, the team is in transition, that's also okay but what is this cricket? They are not a match for this Indian team."

Sri Lanka were thrashed by an innings and 222 runs in the first Test in Mohali. Although they have averted the follow-on in Bengaluru, they have an uphill task ahead of them to save the Test match.

---

"The bowling looked extremely weak" - Aakash Chopra

Shreyas Iyer took full advantage of the poor deliveries bowled by the Sri Lankan spinners [P/C: BCCI]

Aakash Chopra highlighted that the Sri Lankan bowling left a lot to be desired. He explained:

"The bowling looked extremely weak. This is Suranga Lakmal's last Test match, he was alright with the new ball but other than him, if you see Embuldeniya - he is their best bowler but still I think he is slightly less than Test class. The number of balls on the legs and full tosses Jayawickrama was bowling, if the spinners give 4.5 runs per over on this surface, that's not Test quality bowling."

The 44-year-old added that the Sri Lankan batters did not cover themselves in glory either. Aakash Chopra elaborated:

"See the condition of their batting. Agree the ball does a bit under lights in the air and skids off the pitch, but there was no application in the batting as well. There is no contest if there is no quality. Angelo Mathews played well for sure but not really the same quality of batting."

Angelo Mathews was the only Sri Lankan batter to offer any resistance to the Indian bowlers. However, he was also dismissed in the penultimate over of the day, leaving the visitors staring down the barrel.