India's ODI tryst with Sri Lanka begins

Image via Wikipedia

The Indian team starts its ODI series against Sri Lanka after the successful test series and evenly-contested T20 series. The Indians must feel confident about winning the series, considering the difference between the two teams in the ICC Rankings.

The return of Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan will strengthen the team, adding great experience to the team. More than the batting, the Indian team needs the return of the bowlers to increase their chances. Yuvraj Singh might be missing from the team, which is a definite negative.

The batting order looks settled with Sehwag, Tendulkar, Gambhir, Raina (if Yuvraj is not in the eleven), MS Dhoni at the top. Ravindra Jadeja, Praveen Kumar and Harbhajan Singh form the allrounders who can contribute to both the departments. Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra will be the opening bowlers for the Indian team. There is space for one more batsman or allrounder in the team and one wonders who will be the lucky one (Virat Kohli seems to be the front-runner).

The batting of Sri Lanka seems to be in a strong shape also - Jayasuriya, Dilshan followed by Sangakkara and Jayawardene and Kapugedera was good enough to touch 200 in both the T20 matches. The Sri Lankan team seems to miss the services of a good spinner (there was just one over by a spinner in the last T20). Mendis seems to be off form while it is not known how much Murali has recovered. Malinga also might miss the match, which will put the pressure squarely on the Lankans.

All in all, a good series in the reckoning - the Indians are my favorites to win convincingly.

Related articles by Zemanta

• India beat Sri Lanka to tie series as Yuvraj Singh shines in second Twenty20 match (telegraph.co.uk)