Indian Seniors long wait ends!! by Ramkumar RN
Indian Seniors long wait ends!!
It must be said that there will be a huge sigh of relief for Seniors like Sachin, Dravid and Laxman that their long vigil at home is now over. It can be said that their hunger for scoring runs will be clearly seen when they take on Sri Lanka in the 1st test, starting on July 18th at Galle in Sri Lanka. Dravid should feel the break from cricket was good for him and he has been training hard over the last six weeks to get ready for the tour. He predicted a close contest between two rivals who have seen a lot of each other in recent times.
Also in ranks to make amends will be Yuvaraj and Sehwag. While the selectors decided to leave him out of the Asia Cup because of his fitness problems, his selection must surely be because of the pressure from Dhoni. This wake-up call to Yuvraj, will now do a lot of good to him and is sure to prove all his critics, once again, wrong. Sehwag, on the other hand, had spent very little time in the crease since IPL-2 days. He would like to prove himself and have all guns blazing right from the 1st ball he faces.
Sreesanth will spearhead the bowling attack along with Ishant. Zaheer could have been the perfect foil for India to maintain the No. 1 Test ranking spot, as he is very good with the old ball too. Zaheer’s absence will come as a big blow to India, whose fast bowlers haven’t been up to the mark of late, due to injuries and loss of form. That leaves a lot of responsibility on the likes of Ishant Sharma and Sreesanth to carry the attack in Sri Lanka.
India can handle the threat posed by “mystery spinner” Ajantha Mendis. Mendis tormented India’s batsmen in 2008, taking 26 wickets in what was his debut series, as the home side emerged 2-1 winners over three Tests. Mendis played just one Test on Sri Lanka’s tour of India last year, taking two wickets while conceding 162 runs
This is going to be Murali’s last Test match series and the veteran will be going all-out to ensure that he exits in style by winning against India.
But I am sure that Sri Lanka will relay a spinner’s wicket to suit Ajantha Mendis, Herath and Murali
As I write this column, the team players are on the way to leave for Sri Lanka today from Chennai and I can assure you that this team will continue to smile even at the time of their return to India.
My bet is on India, as their batting prowess is currently too hot for any opposition to counter.
My Playing XI for the 1st test could be : Sehwag, Gambhir, Dravid, Sachin, Laxman, Dhoni, Yuvaraj, Harbhajan, Mishra/Ohja, Sreesanth, Ishanth
The touring team selection clearly indicates that there will be 7 batsman (including Dhoni) and 4 bowlers (2 paceman and 2 spinners) during all 3 matches against SL. Thus when the tour starts with a three-day game at Nondescripts Cricket Club, it should provide a good competition between Mishra and Ojha. The first test starts on July 18th at Galle.
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