Colombo: Matches are won on the field, but can easily be lost in the mind. Sri Lanka’s decision to dish out a green top for the third Test was a positive move but, unfortunately, that’s where the positivity ended for their team. If you don’t have a moment of indecision to bowl first after winning the toss, you better play the horses that are likely to suit the course. Sri Lanka didn’t take that route, played only two seam bowlers and eventually paid the price. Even after reducing India to 14 for 2 and then 180 for 7, they ended up conceding over 300 runs, which is about 75 runs above par for this pitch. The primary reason for allowing India to get away was the lack of resources, for Prasad started with a stiff neck and Mathews wasn’t willing to share the bowling workload as much. As a result, Mathews operated with spinners from one end for the majority of Indian innings, and that’s where they lost the grip on the match.

Cheteshwar Pujara negotiates a Lankan bowler yesterday. Pic: AP/PTI