India v Sri Lanka: Idea Cup 2008 Quiz

Answer: Sri Lanka won 2-1

The Idea Cup 2008 test series was played in July/August 2008 between India and Sri Lanka. The first test was played at SSC Colombo and was won by Lanka by an innings and 239 runs. The second test was played at Galle and was won by India by a margin of 170 runs. The third test was played at PSC Colombo and Sri Lanka won comfortably by 8 wickets, thus winning the Idea Cup test series.

Answer: Players could get the field umpires decision reviewed by the third umpire

In this system, players were allowed to challenge the decision of the umpires. Normally, any player who challenges the umpire is punished by being suspended or fined. But in this series, players were given the right to challenge the umpire's decision (regarding dismissal of batsmen) and get the decision reviewed by the third umpire using television replays.

Answer: By making a T symbol with their hands

The captain of the fielding side or the batsman could challenge the field umpires decision regarding the decision of out or not out. If the umpire refused to give a batsman out, the captain of the fielding side could ask for the decision to be reviewed by the third umpire. Similarly, if a batsman was given out, he could ask the decision to be reviewed by the third umpire.

The signal to be made was a T symbol using their hands. The box symbol is made by the field umpire when 'he' wants to refer to the third umpire.

Answer: Three unsuccessful reviews in an innings

During an innings, both sides were given three unsuccessful reviews. What it meant was that if the review was successful, that is, if the review went in favour of the side that asked for it, then it would not be counted. If a review was unsuccessful, then it would be counted as one review. Thus, each side would get a total of three reviews. During the review, the decision would still be taken by the field umpire, but would be advised by the third umpire who would watch television replays. Umpire Mark Benson was in the limelight with many of his decisions being challenged.

Answer: Virender Sehwag

Indian opener Virender Sehwag topped the batting in the series, scoring 344 runs in 3 matches at an average of 68.80 with one double century. His co-opener Gambhir was second with 310 runs. Jayawardene was third with 279 runs.

Answer: 5

The Sri Lankan batsmen scored 5 centuries in the series. There were a total of 6 centuries scored in the series 5 by Lankans and 1 by India (Sehwag). The five centuries were scored by Sangakkara (144), Jayawardene (136), Samaraweera (127), Dilshan (125), and Warnapura (115).

Answer: Dhoni

Indian one-day captain and wicket keeper M S Dhoni did not play in the test series citing fatigue. He was rested for the series and India played two keepers, Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel in the series.

Answer: False

At the start of the series, Sachin Tendulkar was on the verge of breaking Brian Lara's record of 11,953 runs, being 172 runs short. But Tendulkar had a disastrous series, scoring just 95 runs in 6 innings at an average of just 15.83.

Answer: Mendis

Sri Lankan debutant bowler Ajantha Mendis spun a web around the Indian batsmen from which they could not escape. In 3 tests he took 26 wickets at an average of 18.38. He took 2 hauls of 5 wickets in an innings. Sri Lankan legend Muralitharan took 21 wickets, Harbhajan Singh of India was third with 16 wickets.

Answer: Alec Bedser

Sri Lankan debutant leg spinner Ajantha Mendis took 26 wickets in the series, breaking a 62-year old record held by Englishman Alec Bedser. Bedser had taken 24 wickets in the 1946 series against India in his debut series.