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Mendis neglected, Malinga recalled
For the upcoming first Home test match against India, The Sri Lankan Selectors have named the squad for the Lankan test side. The ‘no more’ Mystery Spinner Ajantha Mendis has not been named in the squad. Mendis was the key role for Sri Lanka against India in 2008 tests. Lasith Malinga will make his comeback to Test Cricket after his injury. Read the rest of this entry
Preview: Finale of the neighbors
As it was predicted and expected, both Indians and Lankans thrashed The hosts Bangladeshis beating them 4 nil. Now to eye balls are turned towards the Final of the Triangular series to be held tomorrow in Mirpur.
This finale will mark the 121st match between India and Sri Lanka which will be the highest between two teams. The previous best was between Australia and West Indies playing 121 matches.
The Lankans surely will be aiming to defeat India as a revenge for their loss in the ODI series in December.So the final tomorrow will be a thriller with both team on heavy competition to pose the cameras with the cup.
INDIA
With starting the year in a losing note, Dhoni and co got back to winning ways with the rest of the league matches. They will surely look to win the math to win the series and close in to the ranking of the No.1 ODI team Australia.
With Virender Sehwag back in the team, it would add a huge boast to the opening. And with Gambhir back in splendid form it adds to the strength of the batting.
With Virat Kohli scoring 273 runs in four matches, is in great form batting at No.3. While the rest Dhoni, Yuvraj, Jadeja and Raina are too in good touch, it would be with the opening partnership of Sehwag and Gambhir.
Fielding and Bowling surely has improved since the teams last met in India. Bowling in last 2 matches was superb. But the worry for Dhoni is depth bowling.
India conceded over 90 runs in last 10 overs in the last matches. But with the return of Bhajji and Zak it surely will be controlled.
India surely are the favorites for this match.
SRI LANKA
The Lankans were let down with the loss to India in the last match. But surely now, they might be aiming to win the cup.
With Dilshan and Tharanga in sublime form it looks that they will provide a good start. The middle order with Mahela’s inclusion means power. They have the capability to do anything.
Sangakkara, Mahela, Samaraweera Kandamby, Perera and in superb form hitting cameos in all the matches they have played.
Bowling in the start and in the death overs had been a concern for both teams when they met each other in Indian pitch. The Indian bowlers had been inconsistent in first 2 games as they were unable to restrict The Islanders and the Hosts.
Newbie Sudeep Tyagi has performed excellently in both games he has played. With Zaheer’s return to the team, it looks like Tyagi will be out. But they may put out Sreesanth as he has been too expensive.
On the Lankan side it is even more worse, apart from Welegedara’s 5 Wicket haul in the 1st match no bowler has been consistent. Even with the likes of experienced bowlers Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Thushara in the team, they have been too expensive and not picked up many wickets.
So the pressure is on Thisara Perera and Suraj Randiv who were the pick of the bowlers to perform well.
TOSS IS THE BOSS
Toss obviously in this series has been one go, Whoever it is win the toss and choose to field first.
PROBABLE SQUADS
India: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Sreesanth/Sudeep Tyagi.
Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (capt./wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Thilina Kandamby, Thissara Perera, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara/ Suranga Lakmal , Chanaka Welegedara.
Adithya Ramesh
vanirudh
The 22 Yard 