4th ODI : News and discussion

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More... Eden Gardens pitch could be tricky Evening breeze and dew could induce off-the-air lateral movement IANS Published: 00:00 December 23, 2009 Kolkata : The Eden Gardens strip has a tinge of grass, but it could prove tricky due to off-the-air lateral movement induced by an evening breeze during the fourth one-dayer between India and Sri Lanka being played here tomorrow. The dew factor could pose a few problems for the cricketers during the day-night exchange. It played havoc in the 1996 World Cup semifinal between the two sides when Indian wickets fell like nine pins as Sanath Jayasurya turned the ball square on an under-prepared track. However, curator Prabir Mukherjee was confident that the wicket will be good for playing strokes. ‘Full of runs' "One-day cricket is basically a batsman's game. It will be full of runs, though scoring 400 may not be possible," he said. "It will be a firm wicket with good and even bounce. There will not be much lateral movement off the wicket," Mukherjee added. On the dew factor, the curator said the super sopper will be used twice to dry the outfield during the dinner break and in one of the drinks intervals. "And if the captains agree, during the drinks breaks in the evenings, we can mop up the ground with a rope." However, the evening breeze could be a determining factor, with its strength impacting the extent of the lateral off-air movement, he said.

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Jayasuriya likely to return for 4th ODI After being dropped in the last two matches, veteran Sanath Jayasuriya may return to the Sri Lankan playing XI, in the fourth One-dayer against India, at the Eden Gardens, in Kolkata on Thursday. More...

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Sehwag banks on spinners, youngsters in fourth ODI Captain Virender Sehwag is counting on his spinners to deliver on the slow Eden Gardens track in the Thursday's fourth ODI against Sri Lanka. More... Sehwag banks on spinners, youngsters in fourth ODI Last updated on: December 23, 2009 17:46 IST After struggling with the ball in the first two matches, Team India finally seemed to have found a way to contain the aggression of the Sri Lankan top order, and take crucial wickets. And, it is by no means a novel way but one that is quintessentially Indian -- reliance on spin. In the third one-dayer in Cuttack, the spinners, led by man-of-the-match Ravindra Jadeja , Harbhajan Singh and even Virender Sehwag to an extent, ensured Sri Lanka was dismissed for 239 in just 44.2 overs, after being comfortably placed at 165 for one in the 23rd over. The home team subsequently coasted to victory without much ado. No wonder stand-in captain Sehwag wants an encore to ensure his side wraps up the series with a match to go. "It's always a slow track in Kolkata and the spinners therefore have a crucial role to play always," Sehwag assessed on the eve of the match. "We are looking forward to our spinners doing well especially considering the way Harbhajan and Jadeja bowled in the previous match," he added. The optimism was shrouded in a veil of caution. "We will try our best. But it is not as easy for the bowlers to pick quick wickets as they did in the last one-dayer," said Sehwag. The Indian captain said his team's strategy in the fourth one-dayer will be simple. "We will try to get a few early wickets, especially Dilshan's, and put pressure on their middle order because it is something that hasn't fired so far," revealed Sehwag. Team India has, on previous occasions, held the lead in the series, only to let the opposition back in it. Are they worried about this fact? "Not at all," said the captain, quick to defend his side. There was an elaborate explanation that followed. "Yes, we were 2-1 up against Australia and surrendered the next three ODIs and the series," he admitted. "We are concerned about that but we aren't giving up games easily now. "We will fight till the end and hopefully win the game and the series tomorrow." With Mahendra Singh Dhoni still suspended, Yuvraj Singh too has been ruled out for the series, after featuring in only one match. How much does the team miss these players? "When Sachin Tendulkar gets injured everybody asks the same question," said Sehwag, in jest. "But we still manage to win games. "Of course, it is a loss and we will definitely miss them. But there are lot of younger players coming in to replace them and if they do well we have a very good bench strength in the comings years," reasoned the captain. "If someone like a Rohit Sharma and a Virat Kohli takes this chance, he can make a mark ahead of the World Cup."

[sachinrox]

Thank God they realize the importance of Jayasuriya's experience in crunch games like this, i was shocked to see the veteran's name missing from the team list in cuttack.But now since they ve decided to include jayasuriya, i think Mystery boy mendis has to make way as hes been bowling poorly

[PotterManiac]

Whats the use if he's playing at No.7? He should be at the top of the order somewhere.

[sachinrox]

^ :agree: with u

[PotterManiac]

Just because Rohit Sharma hit a triple century on a flat track, he doesn't become the man in terrific touch. I'm for Virat Kohli here, he has stepped up to the task the team needed in the previous matches.

[Lord]

Just because Rohit Sharma hit a triple century on a flat track' date= he doesn't become the man in terrific touch. I'm for Virat Kohli here, he has stepped up to the task the team needed in the previous matches.

i read the article coz of ur post.wtf r u talking about?

[PotterManiac]

Well, Viru was talking about youngsters like Kohli and Sharma making a mark didnt he? I was expressing my opinion there :)

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Lankan cricketers breach security, go partying Sri Lankan cricketers, including senior batsman Sanath Jayasuriya and Tillakaratne Dilshan, gave the local police some anxious moments when they went for a night-out in the city without security cover on Tuesday. More...

[Lord]

Well, Viru was talking about youngsters like Kohli and Sharma making a mark didnt he? I was expressing my opinion there :)

well Sharma is not in the squad,so Sehwag just mentioned him in passing.wat he meant that UV's n MSD's absence provides opportunities for youngsters.

[PotterManiac]

hmm...maybe..but I still think Sharma has not yet done anything to gain a place. (I'm happy that he has not been picked)

[Andy]

hmm...maybe..but I still think Sharma has not yet done anything to gain a place. (I'm happy that he has not been picked)

:dito:

[Little_Master]

change in batting order? Just a thought....with MS and YUVI out of the game...should sachin step down to no 4? I'd say the following order might provide a little more balance to the team. Sehwag Gambhir Kohli Sachin Raina Dinesh kartik jadeja bajji zaheer Ishant nehra I might even give DK a shot before Raina...seems to be in decent touch.

[Show_stopper]

Oh my..not another push Sachin down for the sake of balance thread!! I believe Viru and Gambhir form a more devastating pair than Viru and Sachin. But there are some things, we need to accept, will never happen. And that includes Sachin batting anywhere lower than #2 till he retires.

[Show_stopper]

Don't think he'll do much if he isn't going to open. He is not good against spin early on in his innings. Enjoys the ball coming onto the bat.

[Guest Hiten.]

Jayasuriya partying ? :hysterical: :hysterical: :WTF:

[achilles]

Retards :eyedance:

[champ]

sanath in the middle order = FAIL .. at the top i am sure they wont shake up dilshan or tharanga ..

[Params7]

Jayassuriya should be opening. If the Asia cup final was anything to go by, old man's still got it in him to give awesome starts. He just needs to find his form back quick. Jayawardene too.