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Asian giants face-off today

S. Dinakar

Duckworth and Lewis may again play a part

— Photo: AP

MIDDLE-ORDER OPTION: Virender Sehwag, a fine player of spin, can be slotted at No. 4 to disrupt Muralitharan’s rhythm.

Brisbane: Two Asian giants will meet on a lively track away from the sub-continent. The ’Gabba awaits an India-Sri Lanka face-off, weather permitting. It continues to rain here and more showers have been forecast for Tuesday. Apart from attempting to strategically outdo each other, the sides will have to be ready for the challenges of the Duckworth and Lewis equations.

There should be several contests within the contest in the second CB tri-series clash. Dhoni, instinctive and bold, will be up against arguably the shrewdest captain in contemporary cricket, Mahela Jayawardene. Muttiah Muralitharan and his tantalising off-spin could be locked in an intense duel with Sachin Tendulkar’s timeless skills. Sanath Jayasuriya, another old soldier, will attempt to blaze away against a bunch of young and eager Indian pacemen. And will Virender Sehwag’s bludgeoning blows subdue that exciting slinger Lasith Malinga?

Vaas’s boast

The duel will not be without characters. Chaminda Vaas breezed away from the practice session telling this correspondent, “I will get five wickets here tomorrow friend.” He is experienced and crafty, among the game’s foremost left-arm pacemen even if not the fastest.

As he toasted bread in the player’s area, Kumara Sangakkara peered through the path leading to the ground and said, “This is among the best pitches in Australia to bat on. True bounce.” Sangakkara, extremely competitive, saw the positive aspect of batting at the ’Gabba where the touring teams have generally come unstuck — he could play his strokes here.

The Lankans are a charming side and a friendly bunch. Beneath the smiles lurk toughness and steel. Not for nothing were they World Cup finalist last year. India’s planning will have to be good against a street smart side.

Dhoni’s decision

Dhoni’s decision to bat on Sunday was not without reason even if there was bound to be greater assistance for the Aussie pacemen in the first hour. Chasing under the threat of rain and revised targets can be hazardous. The Indian batting struggled to cope with the conditions on Sunday, but the young side ran well between the wickets and fought hard on the field. As the campaign progresses, it could grow in confidence.

For Tuesday’s game though, the side might continue to be without key middle-order batsman Yuvraj Singh. As Dhoni indicated, Yuvraj is still not 100 per cent fit. Things could change on the morning of the match. Jayawardene’s Sri Lankans can exploit chinks. The Lankans are a mix of the experienced and the young. This is also a side that is high on commitment.

Vulnerable

The Indians have a vulnerable middle-order and will think long and hard about adding weight to this vital area. Sehwag, for instance, can be slotted at No. 4. He is a fine player of spin and can disrupt the rhythm of Muralitharan’s bowling. In this scenario, Gambhir will open with Tendulkar.

There is another school of thought that points to Suresh Raina getting a look-in. The left-handers have been effective against Muralitharan’s doosra — unlike most off-spinners the Lankan genius is more comfortable bowling at the right-handers — but then it might be hard for the think-tank to replace Manoj Tiwary after just one game.

Tactically, the Indians would require one of the top four batsmen to drop anchor.

That did not happen in the first game where, both, Gambhir and Rohit Sharma, were guilty of playing one stroke too many. Dhoni showed the way later in the innings — application is crucial.

The Lankans will depend on Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga to provide the innings thrust. Jayasuriya has recovered well from a cut on his jaw and can still inflict wounds on the opposition. The flamboyant Sangakkara and the smooth-stroking Jayawardene can assume control in the middle-order. Maharoof is a big striker in the end overs.

Do Dhoni’s young men have it them to spring a surprise?

The teams (from):

India: M.S. Dhoni (captain), S. Tendulkar, V. Sehwag, G. Gambhir, R. Sharma, M. Tiwary, R. Uthappa, I. Pathan, Harbhajan, I. Sharma, S. Sreesanth, M. Patel, D. Kartik, S. Raina, P. Kumar, P. Chawla, Y. Singh.

Sri Lanka: M. Jayawardene (captain), S. Jayasuriya, U. Tharanga, K. Sangakkara, C. Silva, T. Dilshan, C. Kapudedra, F. Maharoof, C. Vaas, M. Muralitharan, L. Malinga, I. Amarasinhe.

Umpires: Rudi Koerzten & Steve Davis; Third umpire: Bruce Oxenford. Match Referee: Jeff Crowe.

Play starts 8.45 a.m. IST.

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