After the halcyon days of the IPL,the gruelling one day series in the sub continent its back to the gentlemen in white!!!!The three match test series promises a lot of drama and adventure and the stakes are high for both the teams in different scenarios altogether.
If the tour game is anything to go by though the players have been scratchy but I guess except for V.V.S.Laxman almost all the Indian batsmen did spend some time in the middle.It is imperative that they get into their groove before the first test at SSC,Colombo on the 23 rd of July
The Indian side is actually well balanced.With the exclusion of Jaffer,in all probability Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag would open together.The duo have had a number of fruitful partnerships of late and India would be hoping that their good run continues in this form of cricket as well.The middle order doesn’t need any introduction, with the stalwarts Rahul,Sachin,Sourav,Laxman bolstering the batting.
Coming lower down the order,Dinesh Kartick would be occupying the wicket keeper slot in the absence of Dhoni.Dhoni’s withdhrawal resurfaces the debate on player burnout.Its been a bold and and honest decision by him after a continuous 18 month cricket ‘ season’.
India’s bowling attack led by the skipper himself would look to exploit the conditions in the Emerald Isle and the it has been boosted by the return of pace spearhead Zaheer Khan.All in all,a well knit Indian unit hungry for a series win in the island.
Coming to the Sri Lankan side,much has been hyped about the spin sensation Ajantha Mendis who has captured the imagination of plenty of people in the cricketing fraternity.Jayawardene needs to be given credit for his articulate captaincy.holding back Mendis for the Australian tour and unleashing him in the Asia Cup in subcontinental conditions but lets not forget there is another man who sports a wide grin everytime he comes to bowl.Mutthiah Muralitharan can spin a web around any world class batting order and the Indians need to be wary of that. The batting is already poses a well settled look with Michael Vandort,Warnapura,Samarweera and the experienced Sangakkara and Jayawardene who will be shouldering the responsibility of anchoring the innings.There could be stiff competition for the No.6 spot with Chamara Silva,who came good in the tour game and Dilshan. Though the pace attack has taken a beating with the absense of Malinga and Maharoof,trust Vaas to share the spoils with Thushara and Kulasekara!
Its going to be an interesting battle between both the sides, the seniors in the Indian team would be rubbing their hands and would look to exhibit their class,yet again while the few youngsters would do well to grab the opportunity and seize the initiative.The Lankan side under Jayawardene pose a challenge and the would be eager as well to make a point or two.Colombo is all set to experience a well fought test match and its definitely going to be great advertisement for Test cricket.Lets wait and watch.Ladies and Gentlemen,Game On!!!
