Sunday, August 17, 2008

Sri Lanka vs India 1st ODI match 2008: The return of Sanath Jayasuriya added India's fear

Tomorrow on 18th August, 2008 both Sri Lanka and India will open their five-match ODI series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. With the ODI series win, India team should try to erase their miserable memory of defeating Test series by 2-1 against Sri Lanka in the recently concluded three-match Test series. Ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, India team aims to beat the host team to regain few steps up. On the contrary, Sri Lanka team wants to keep on their performance in limited-over matches too.

Ahead of the 1st ODI match both teams are busy to take their last minute preparation. Fans of cricket game are eagerly waiting to see a clash between these two former South Asian world cup winner teams. India’s one-day international captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his young brigades are expected to take revenge for their Asia Cup final defeat after snatching the ODI series but it is not even easy task. To claim ODI title, they have to show better performance in both batting and bowling department. Sri Lanka is one of the toughest places to play cricket. Pitches are slow and spin friendly where getting a lot of run is difficult. Middle order batting line-up seems the big problem for India team as most of the player failed to make any resistant and fragile in a short time in Test series.

There are some reasons for India team to fear. First and important reason is spin duo: Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis, who took most of the wickets and helped to get Test victory. Because of his destructive bowling action, Ajantha Mendis has gained the reputation as their nemesis. Now, India team is also worried about Sri Lankan opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya. This aggressive batman has taken retirement from Test cricket but still he is capable of playing big innings which makes fear the opponent bowlers. In past, most of the time we saw India team suffered by him. When India team was dreaming of claiming Asia Cup title after taking 66-4 then Sanath Jayasuriya appeared as savior scoring hundred where Sri Lanka got win by 100 runs. So, Indian bowlers should want to take his wicket as early as possible. It is believed that without Sanath Jayasuriya Sri Lanka could not make a chasing score that would trouble India.

Young fast bowler Ishant Sharma will not be able to play ODI series for his injury. The inclusion of Irfan Pathan in the main squad shows the hope of playing better against Sri Lanka team. Let us see if India beat Sri Lanka team in limited-over matches.

Related article:

Hindustan Times

No comments: