Indian team after a humiliating defeat against Australia in ODI has chance to get back in the winning groove when they will take on Sri Lanka for the first test match at Ahmedabad in the three match test series. Sri Lanka who never manage to win a single test at Indian soil is quite confidant of turning the tide in their favour. However it will be tough for them considering Laxman and Dravid the two most stylish players in the team. With the opening combination of Sehwag and Gambhir and solidity of Tendulkar, Laxman and Dravid in the middle makes India far more superior team than Sri Lanka on paper. Both Rahul Dravid and V.V.S.Laxman, especially the former, are coming into the match on the back of some good displays in the Ranji Trophy and would be eager to hit the straps. However since last six months India never played a single test match and it’s important for M.S.Dhoni and his team to switch quickly in the Test match mood. The first test between India and Sri Lanka will be also remembered for Sachin who now step in into his 21st year of International cricket career. Sachin Tendulkar just needs 39 runs to complete his 30000 runs in international cricket and if he will achieve that feet then it will be icing on the cake. In the bowling department, Sri Lanka looks more settled than the Indians, with the likes of Murali, Mendis in their ranks. This test series will also provide opportunity for both teams to grab the number one ICC Test Ranking. India must win the series by 2-0 to grab that position. However Sri Lanka needs to lift the cup and they will grab the number one test ranking regardless of series win margin whether it’s 2-1 or 1-0. Likely Playing XI for both Teams (Match is Schedule to begin at 09:30 AM India Time) India : Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (Captain/WK), Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra. Sri Lanka: Tharanga Paranavitana, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (Captain), Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Prasanna Jayawardene (WK), Nuwan Kulasekara, Thilan Thushara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis. |
