The torrential rain that halted a rampaging Virender Sehwag in his tracks and reduced the outfield to green slush may also have taken with it India's best chance of winning the ICC Champions Trophy. For all the ineptitude from the Indians in the field (two excellent spells of bowling and three stunning catches can't excuse the innumerable lapses), the Sri Lankans batted at times like dead men walking. Most one-day innings consist of an initial burst of activity, a period of mid-innings calm and then the storm. Today, the storm never arrived, not until the metaphor became real when India came out to bat. Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya had given Sri Lanka the perfect start, marrying technique and grace to brute power, as Javagal Srinath bowled like someone suffering from extreme jetlag.

India's decision to play three seamers misfired spectacularly, as Srinath and Ajit Agarkar went for 92 from 14 overs. Only Zaheer Khan, who was particularly incisive in bursts, inspired confidence and the other two will have to keep more than fingers crossed to get a game tomorrow.

By contrast, the spinners went for just 93 in 26 overs, with Harbhajan Singh bowling an outstanding opening spell. Virender Sehwag didn't get the wickets he did against South Africa – they play spin with about as much finesse as a donkey would a piano – but he bowled a controlled spell that prevented the Sri Lankan innings getting any momentum in mid-innings. Kumar Sangakkara struggled against both the off spinners, rarely showing the fluency he's capable of, while Aravinda de Silva rode his luck like a bucking bronco before it gave out.

The total of 244 would have delighted the Indians given the rollicking start that Jayasuriya gave his side. But it remains to be seen if the spinners can exercise the same control over the batsmen – and lull them into sleep mode – tomorrow. Whatever the two captains think, spin is the only answer on this pitch. And the way Srinath and Agarkar bowled today, Anil Kumble can start exercising those twitchy fingers. It's about time he had a good game and tomorrow might be it…if the rain Gods grant him the chance.

Dileep Premachandran is assistant editor of Wisden.com in India.

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