A perfect game for India in Mohali would be to bat first, forge partnerships and explode in the end.

Even though India’s middle-order collapsed in Nagpur, the side still managed 186, suggesting a very powerful batting line-up capable of amassing a mountain of runs.

India can be a consistently good side in the shorter version of the game if its batsmen can provide a suitable cushion, the fielders can take catches and effect run-outs and the bowlers can stifle the rivals.

The team still needs fast bowlers who can bowl yorkers in the death overs and men in the ring who inspire awe in the rivals. For the time being though, there is need to make the best of the resources.

Batsmen need to take greater responsibility. India must stem the rot, which has set in its Twenty20 reputation. There is no bigger fan following now than for T20 and this ought to be preserved.

Without being repetitive, I would like to say that Rohit Sharma and Yusuf Pathan have much to play for. They are India’s brightest and it’s time they clear the despair around them. They, along with others in the middle-order, were guilty of wasting a good start in Nagpur.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, would look to reproduce more of the Nagpur effect. They batted at full throttle and, I suspect, the tactics would be similar in Mohali. India thus need to break that rhythm.

Even though reverse sweeps are difficult to plug, Indian bowlers need to show greater variations in pace and length — the line ought to be on one side of the wicket.

A cracker of a contest is on cards. Indian fans would be hoping their heroes come out smiling in the end.