Thursday, 15 March 2012
Monday, 12 March 2012
Messed up India seeks redemption through Asia Cup
Mirpur: 
After India's poor show in the recently concluded Australian series Indians are Desperate
to restore their reputation, title holders India would 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.The only positive outcome of that series was the young talented Virat Kohli's batting performance which earned him the Vice captain's post.
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.
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 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 Ravindra Jadeja to prove their worth after producing a below-par performance in tough Australian conditions.
But looking at India's inconsistent showing in Australia, Dhoni has a lot to ponder ahead of his side's tournament opener against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The series will also see a keen contest between Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan for the lone all-rounder's spot in the playing eleven.
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 and will have 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 it 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.
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.Sure the whole country will look keenly on every individuals' performance & also for Sachin's 100th ton.
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Manoj Tiwary, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashok Dinda, Ravindra Jadeja, Praveen Kumar, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Rahul Sharma, R Vinay Kumar.
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardena (captain), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachithra Senanayake, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne.
Match starts at 1.30 pm (IST).For more news click here
After India's poor show in the recently concluded Australian series Indians are Desperate
to restore their reputation, title holders India would 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.The only positive outcome of that series was the young talented Virat Kohli's batting performance which earned him the Vice captain's post.
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.
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 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 Ravindra Jadeja to prove their worth after producing a below-par performance in tough Australian conditions.
But looking at India's inconsistent showing in Australia, Dhoni has a lot to ponder ahead of his side's tournament opener against Sri Lanka at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.
The series will also see a keen contest between Jadeja and Yusuf Pathan for the lone all-rounder's spot in the playing eleven.
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 and will have 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 it 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.
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.Sure the whole country will look keenly on every individuals' performance & also for Sachin's 100th ton.
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Manoj Tiwary, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashok Dinda, Ravindra Jadeja, Praveen Kumar, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Rahul Sharma, R Vinay Kumar.
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardena (captain), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Farveez Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachithra Senanayake, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne.
Match starts at 1.30 pm (IST).For more news click here
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