India in Sri Lanka, 2010 : tests and triseries

[diegovegaz]

gambhir sehwag dravid sachin laxman yuvraj dhoni harbhajan mishra ishant munaf by playing mishra ahead of ojha, we'll hv an off, leg and left arm(yuvi) spin options though, dhoni would prefer ojha over mishra

[Fontaine]

Call me crazy but I have a feeling Ishant and Munaf will actually do ok given the responsibility of the new ball.

[Guest Hiten.]

Call me crazy but I have a feeling Ishant and Munaf will actually do ok given the responsibility of the new ball.

I have the same feeling about Munaf. He certainly cannot do any worse than the Dindas, Mithuns :headshake:

[Laaloo]

Call me crazy but I have a feeling Ishant and Munaf will actually do ok given the responsibility of the new ball.

:two_thumbs_up::two_thumbs_up: I'm getting the same feeling. :woot:

[Roshanrocks]

Going into the first test match while being under pressure is good... atleast there will be more concentration. Hope we win the toss.!

[Roshanrocks]

Jayawardena's views on this test series against India

Yes, I know India and Sri Lanka have been playing each other for long, but both could do with some Test cricket. Especially Sri Lanka, who have only three Tests scheduled this year, which is sad. I know India play a lot of cricket and everybody wants to play them, but they too would have been left with only five or so Tests if some games of their ODI series against South Africa and Australia were not converted to Tests, and they didn't have this three-Test series against us. This current FTP has been a lop-sided one. If you want to have Test championships and want to see where the teams stand, you need to give equal opportunity to all teams. I have played Test cricket for 12 years, but only four Tests in Australia and none at the MCG, the SCG or the WACA. I would love to challenge myself there before I leave the game, but where is the opportunity? I am not pointing fingers; just that everyone needs to sit down and find a formula for a consistent set-up. Every Test team needs to play a minimum of 10 matches a year - ideally 12. Play all the countries equally, not just one team all the time and the bare minimum against the rest. Given the current state of affairs, we are fortunate to be able to fit in this series. Sri Lanka will be up for this one after a tough Test series in India, when they got the better of us. The Indian batting line-up is very strong. They are the No. 1 side in the world, and that is motivation enough for us to be at our best and go up the table. We know, though, that this batting line-up can be kept quiet. We did that two years ago. The way we bowled against them in 2008 is a big positive when compared to the disappointing tour the year after that. Also, at the back of our minds we know we used the umpire review system really well, and Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis had a great series then. There is a huge difference between the Kookaburra and the SG as well. I have played Test cricket for 12 years, but only four Tests in Australia and none at the MCG, the SCG or the WACA. I would love to challenge myself there before I leave the game, but where is the opportunity? India won't have to contend with Murali after the first Test. But they will be missing Zaheer Khan. Which is not to say that the series will be dull. Different players will have to step up and perform. Murali and Zaheer may not be there, but we know there are plenty of cricketers trying to prove themselves. We have improved in our fast-bowling department over the last couple of years. Getting Lasith Malinga back is a positive. Dammika Prasad and Chanaka Welegedara have also come on really well. Angelo Mathews has provided the side with invaluable balance. He gives us more options in our bowling department, especially when you need to pick 20 wickets. Rather than having four out-and-out bowlers, we have a bit of variety. Over the last three years we have lost three big players: Sanath Jayasuriya, Murali and Chaminda Vaas. While we knew they were going to leave and that would create a big hole in the side, the real test of how well we have coped with the transition will come now. Left-arm spinner Ranganna Herath bowled well against Pakistan, but bowling against the Indians will be the ultimate test. Not only are they very good players of spin, they have improved a lot since they last came here. Back then, they didn't have MS Dhoni at No. 7 and Gautam Gambhir was not the well-rounded batsman he is today. Given the slightly weak bowling attacks on both sides, there are chances this series might be dominated by the bat, which has been the general nature of most Sri Lanka-India series. Not long ago, it was always about the batting line-ups, and which of the bowling attacks controlled the batsmen better. You can't say what the pitches are going to offer, but it is essential that they are sporting if we are to have results. Winning the series in 2008 was tough but winning now will be tougher. On the line will be our proud home record. But when we play Tests in Sri Lanka, we never put ourselves under pressure, saying we have to win. We know how to play good Test cricket at home and we focus on that, and not on who the favourites for the series are.

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Playing half-fit Bhajji a gamble, admits coach Kirsten Ever since the Indian team arrived in Sri Lanka for a full series, the lack of bowling options has been their biggest cause for concern. Not only because of Zaheer Khan’s unavailability for the series but also due to Harbhajan Singh’s ailment. More... Playing half-fit Bhajji a gamble, admits coach Kirsten Amol Karhadkar, Hindustan Times Galle, July 18, 2010 Ever since the Indian team arrived in Sri Lanka for a full series, the lack of bowling options has been their biggest cause for concern. Not only because of Zaheer Khan’s unavailability for the series but also due to Harbhajan Singh’s ailment. The premier off-spinner has been down with a bacterial infection for over a week now. Still, with an related storiesNo picnic for bowlers as batters take charge inexperienced bowling attack, the Indian team management had no choice but to risk a half-fit Harbhajan. “Yes it was,” coach Gary Kirsten said after the opening day’s play when asked whether it was a gamble to go in with Bhajji. “But if he hadn’t played, we would have been really inexperienced in our bowling. He is a gutsy cricketer. He just said ‘listen, I want to play’. He is not that well at the moment. He had flu and was on the bed in the warm-up game. You don’t recover fast from flu, it has taken some toll but we need him in the team.” While Harbhajan appeared exhausted every time he completed an over, debutant Abhimanyu Mithun emerged as the surprise package. The pacer was the only bowler who looked like getting a wicket in each of his four spells. “I thought Mithun bowled superbly for his first Test. It’s great to see a really athletic young bowler,” Kirsten said. “He certainly showed that he is capable of doing well at this level. He bowled at decent pace and in good areas for most of the day, so I am pretty impressed.” Unfortunately, Mithun didn’t have support from Ishant Sharma from the other end. The Delhi bowler looked ordinary for most of the day, but Kirsten advocated patience. “By his own admission, he could have avoided certain types of deliveries,” said Kirsten. “He bowled well in the last spell and hopefully he will continue to build his confidence as he goes along. We need to be patient with Ishant. He hasn’t had much game time in the last three months. In his last Test in Kolkata he made a crucial contribution, got two vital wickets against South Africa. We need to be patient with guys who we know have the potential and talent to go forward. We must be careful not to judge him in one practice game and one day here. Let’s give him a bit of run and see how he goes.” One thing that could have helped Ishant was for him to have played for India A in England recently, but the selectors chose to send a rookie attack on that assignment. “I would like the guys to have as much game time as possible. Where ever they get opportunity to play quality cricket they must play,” said Kirsten. “We just pass our suggestions (to selectors) and that’s all. As a coach, I give my suggestions and decisions are made accordingly.”

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Centurian Sangakkara and Paranavitana punish jaded bowling and sloppy Indian fielding Opener Tharanga Paranavitana hit a maiden test hundred and Kumar Sangakkara recorded his 22nd as Sri Lanka dominated India's bowlers on the opening day of the first test at the Galle Stadium on Sunday More... No picnic for bowlers as batters take charge Amol Karhadkar, Hindustan Times Galle, July 18, 2010 Instead of having a beach party on a weekend, residents of the picnic town headed to the Galle International Stadium to salute their beloved off-spinner one last time as Muttiah Muralitharan was to make his final appearance in white flannels. Though they got a glimpse of Murali only before the day’s play started, when the Sri Lankan sports minister presented him a memento for his contribution, none of the spectators would have complained as they headed home an hour earlier than the scheduled close. The cloudburst may have started late in the third session, but for almost five hours before that runs poured for the Lankan top-order as the hosts finished the opening day of the first Test against India at 256 for two. With a jaded bowling attack, the last thing India needed was to lose the toss and be made to bowl first. But the special coin for the toss, with Murali’s face on one side and some of his special stats inscribed on the other, rolled in Sangakkara’s favour and the he had no hesitation in electing to bat. From then on, for the best part of 68 overs, it was an inexorable struggle for the Indian bowlers till bad light and a downpour came to their rescue. While Ishant Sharma had looked the best of the lot that featured in last week’s warm-up match, when it came to leading the charge, the lanky paceman failed. He bowled either too full or too short throughout the day, which reflected thoroughly in his bowling analysis. In his 14 overs, the pacer conceded almost a run a ball, something that’s unexpected of someone leading an attack. Once Ishant leaked 41 runs in his first five overs, the pressure that debutant Abhimanyu Mithun had built from the other end was of little use. After bowling a tight opening spell that read 4-1-6-0, Mithun, the pick of the bowlers, changed ends and got rid of the dangerous Tillakaratne Dilshan (25) off the very first ball of his next spell. Dilshan tried to hook the short one, but only managed to get glove to the ball on its way to Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s gloves. Had Dhoni been able to latch on to an edge off Sangakkara’s (103) willow off Virender Sehwag midway through the second session, the Indians may have been able to get back into the game. The Sri Lankan skipper, who was on 65 then, not only celebrated his 22nd Test ton but also put on 181 runs with opener Tharanga Paranavitana (110 not out), before holing out to midwicket. For Paranavitana, it was a red letter day as he registered his maiden Test ton. With only Harbhajan Singh, playing despite recovering from a bacterial infection, succeeding in preventing the Sri Lankan duo from scoring freely, the Indian team have a huge task ahead of them if they are to prevent the home team from putting up a huge total on the second day.

[saneindian]

Not too long before BCCI goons slap a gag order on him again. How dare he talk about players playing in country cricket or fringe players getting pikced for India A.

[sportshero]

India vs Sri Lanka Test Cricket Dhoni says Lack of pace attack proved costly Bowling against SriLanka in their ground will never been an easy task. What should be the idle strategy for the second inning?

[Fontaine]

Dhoni says Lack of pace attack proved costly Bowling against SriLanka in their ground will never been an easy task. What should be the idle strategy for the second inning?

The key is always going to be the new ball. With Zaheer Khan we had a new ball bowler who routinely struck with the new ball. He always makes full use of the conditions and is equally threatening attacking the left or right handers. With Zaheer Dhoni could always count on getting one or two wickets at the top of the order with the new ball but right now there is no guarantees with Mithun or Sharma. Without Zaheer our spinners then have to bowl at well set opening batsmen and they're not good enough to go through them. A captain or coach can only do so much in terms of field placings/strategy. Ultimately it's up to the bowler to make the batsmen play early and bowl a disciplined line. Apart from Zaheer we don't have a single pace bowler that can do that consistently.

[Lord]

idle strategy?:hmmm:

[fineleg]

What should be the idle strategy for the second inning?

Daadaji Munaf Patel-ji would be idle strategy, he's as idle as they come. Ideal is ZK+Sreesanth which we won't get.

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Team India practising to make it perfect at Colombo The Indian team practised hard at Colombo on Saturday to ensure the mistakes made at Galle aren't repeated. More... Team India practising to make it perfect at Colombo Sehwag needs to focus on his shot selection Harbhajan needs to be among the wickets Dhoni has to take more responsibility Having been humiliated in the opening Test at Galle - one that will always be remembered as Muttiah Muralitharan's farewell Test, and one where he became the first bowler ever to reach the 800 wickets milestone - Team India are keen to ensure the mistakes aren't repeated in the second Test at Colombo beginning on Monday. The team practised hard on Saturday. And they had some good news coming their way as well. Besides the fact that Muralithran won't be there at Colombo to torment them - the offie took eight wickets at Galle -paceman Lasith Malinga has also been ruled out due to a stiff knee. Malinga's absence from the line-up - the bowler took seven wickets, five in the second innings - will give India a huge relief as they seek to level the series. Virender Sehwag was particularly focussed during a practice session. Sehwag scored 109 and 31 in the Galle Test. However, what will concern India is the manner in which Sehwag gifted his wicket away in both the innings. In the first innings, he squandered his wicket soon after posting his 20th Test hundred by chasing a wide delivery off paceman Chanaka Welegedara and fell to the same bowler in the second essay when he played one away from his body. Sehwag, however, defended his selection of shots after the match. "I don't think (it was a mistake) to play a cut shot. Out of the 7000 odd runs 3000 runs of mine, have been in cut shots," he reasoned. The facts may be true but the reasoning certainly is not convincing. Harbhajan Singh was another player who was quite focussed during the practise session. Harbhajan, despite not being hundred per cent fit, was included in the side. It showed up when he struggled to bowl on the opening day. A lacklustre showing by him and Pragyan Ojha enabled Sri Lanka steal the momentum and post a mammoth 520 for eight declared in their first innings. Harbhajan went wicketless in the 30 overs he bowled in the first innings, while Ojha went for 115 runs in 28 overs and never really threatened with the ball. Harbhajan's fitness remains a worry ahead of Colombo. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian captain, admitted that lack of experience in the pace attack and failure to build partnerships proved costly for his team in the opening Test in Galle. Looking at the conditions here, I think we lacked experience in bowling. It was a learning experience for the seamers, who did a decent job after the first day," Dhoni said after India succumbed to a 10-wicket defeat. "There are plenty of areas to work on. Hopefully we will learn from mistakes and come good in the next match," he added. Maybe the captain was right. India were without pace duo of Zaheer Khan and S Sreesanth and the inexperienced seamers -- Ishant Sharma and debutant Abhimanyu Mithun lacked of experience. The fact that both the spinners - Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha - also failed added to Team India's cup of woes. However, there will be no scope for explanation should India lose at Colombo. For the loss will mean the series can no longer be won. Dhoni, the captain has to take more responsibility and ensure his side makes optimum use of the available resources.

[King]

Honestly there's no fun in beating teams that don't pose enough challenges. You have to beat an in form team and a full one too. Not much can be done about Murali, he was always going to retire at the end of the last test match but Indians should not get far too excited about Malinga and Murali missing out. Indians have one of the best batting attack on paper and in reality. They should not really worry about what the opponents are going to be doing, they need to focus on what they are going to do to turn the tide.

[Rajiv]

Ravi, even Zaheer and Santh were missing so level playing field is aok here..PS, Indians always take shock first then provide the awe

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Despite thrashing, Raina feels India bowled well The thrashing that they got from the Sri Lankan batsmen notwithstanding, Suresh Raina on Monday insisted that Indian bowlers did their job well and blamed their opening-day flopshow in the second cricket Test on the dead track in Colombo. More...

[achilles]

Nice joke Suresh. I agree with you about the track.

[yoda]

He is now eligible to become the captain :giggle:

[kabira]

well what you want him to say our bowlers bowled badly?? He is junior most player LOL.