Two debilitating collapses have left India in a position from where their best result is a drawn One-Day International series. Since 1997, when they were beaten 0-3, India have not lost a bilateral showdown in Sri Lanka; to protect that proud record, India’s batting must raise itself on Wednesday from the disappointing depths it has plumbed over the last few nights at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Successive collapses, the first at least bringing a share of the spoils but the second resulting in a 32-run loss, on Friday and Sunday respectively must have come as a shock to India’s collective system. They have had their issues against Sri Lankan spin in the past, but to implode twice in three nights is a new low they will struggle to live down.