Mahi’s men face Sanga’s Sri Lanka
And we are back to slam-bang version of cricket, a mastery which the sub-continent nations such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka have mastered, as India face Sri Lanka in the first of the two Twenty20 games in Nagpur on Wednesday.
Not surprisingly, the sub-continent teams’ prowess in the shortest version of the game can be gauged from the fact that the three aforementioned teams have made it to the finals of the two World T20 tournaments held in South Africa in 2007 and in England early this year. One of the key reasons for the success has been the encouragement being given to nurture batsmen to go over the top with big catch tournaments such as the ubiquitous Indian Premier Leagues and with T20 being the staple food of every nation, this format is enjoyed by all and sundry.
After dominating in the longest version of the game, Dhoni’s men will be high on confidence and also have lady luck shining on them in this venue with victories in their last two visits– a Test and an ODI win over Australia.
The hosts are armed with T20 specialists in the form of Yusuf Pathan, Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina which to the line-up gives India a meaty look. Gambhir is back iand will open with Virender Sehwag at the top.
Left-armer Ashish Nehra will lead the pace attack along with Ishant Sharma, while India’s spin options are Yusuf Pathan, Pragyan Ojha and the uncapped Ashwin.
On the other hand, the Lankan attack will open their bowling with paceman Lasith Malinga, who missed the Test series because of injury, will strengthen the pace attack. Also all-rounders Chintaka Jayasinghe, Kaushalya Weeraratne and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara join the team for the two T20 matches.
Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara has more options with him now, with all-rounder Angelo Mathews regaining form after his fine 99 in the Mumbai Test.
The islanders will be wary of the Indian might as Dhoni’s men have the knack of switching gears at will. Overall, a lightening contest in store for the viewers.
