debacle in Australia, title holders Indiawould be hoping for a
positive start to their campaign in the Asia Cup cricket tournament
when they take on Sri Lanka here on Tuesday.
The Asia Cup will provide India a chance to make amends for their
dismal performance in the triangular series in Australia, where they
won just three out of eight matches.
After having flopped in two consecutive overseas tours in England and
then Australia, Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni knows the
importance of a good start that will hold them in good stead in the
regional tournament.
"Over the years the formathas changed in the sense now there are four
good sides. It is a very short series, and it is very important to
start on a positive note because it's not very often that you play in
a tournament whereall the Asian countries are playing together," Dhoni
said.
India are coming into the tournament with just a few changes in the
squad that played in Australia, with hard—hitting batsman Yusuf Pathan
and pacer Ashok Dinda drafted into the side, while Virender Sehwag,
Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav have been rested due to injuries.
The Asia Cup is also an ideal platform for Sachin Tendulkar to record
his much—awaited 100th international ton, after having missed the feat
in the Test series against Australia and the subsequent triangular
series.
The tournament will also provide another opportunity to young players
like Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina and RavindraJadeja to prove their
worthafter producing a below—par performance in tough Australian
conditions.Young Virat Kohli, on the other hand, will be oozing with
confidence following his impressive showing in Australia, which earned
himthe post of vice—captain in Sehwag's absence.
But looking at India's inconsistent showing in Australia, Dhoni has a
lot toponder ahead of his side's tournament opener against Sri Lanka
at the Sher—e—Bangla National Stadium.
"It's not that we have donereally badly. Of course, we had a patch
where we havenot done consistently well.
Especially when it comes to the ODI format, I think we have done quite
well. So weare hoping that we will stickto it and be consistent
throughout the tournament," Dhoni said.
The series will also see a keen contest between Jadeja and Yusuf
Pathan for the lone all—rounder's spot in the playing eleven.
"Unfortunately he's (Virender Sehwag) not there. We will miss him, he
is one of the most dangerous openers. But this means we have one space
in the playing elevenright now. It may go to somebody like Yusuf
Pathan so that we can balance the flair and the firepower and the
stability that's needed.
"I think it's an opportunity for someone like a Yusuf or a Ravindra
Jadeja to do well and grab that number six position," Dhoni said.
On the bowling front, India boasts of a relatively young pace attack
in R Vinay Kumar, Ashok Dinda, Praveen Kumar and Irfan Pathan, while
the spin department will be led by Ravichandran Ashwin with
leg—spinner Rahul Sharma for company.On paper, there is nothing much
to differentiate between the two sides, but going by present form, Sri
Lanka undoubtedly hold an edge over the Indians.
Sri Lanka have been a resurgent side this year. They narrowly lost the
five—match series in South Africa 2—3 early this year and reached the
finals of the just—concluded triangular series in Australia, only to
lose but not before giving a tough fight to the home team.
But the Sri Lankans have come here as a tired side after the long
tri—series in Australia, where they played five matches in the last 10
days.
"The intensity (of the CB series) was really high because we were
performing at a very high level. Even though we lost the finals I
thought the commitment of the players and the energy level was very
good," Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene said.
"International cricket is such now, you need to adapt very quickly
mentallyand physically to the schedules that we have," he said.
If the islanders wish to win their fifth Asia Cup title, they will
have to rejuvenate themselves in no time as one bad day in office can
hurt their cause.
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