Indian team after fighting their way into the Ahmedabad test match with the help of Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir century in the second inning somehow manage to draw the game on a wicket which supported the batsman throughout the whole five day’s play. However the pitch curator has given surety that the Green Park, Kanpur wickets will be ideally suited for the test cricket. It will assist the fast bowlers in the morning session and after that it will help batsman to play their shots. However after two days of play the pitch will start to turn and provide ample support to the spinners. By considering the above scenario both teams would love to bat first and put huge runs on the board to put pressure on the team batting second. Indian batting lineup also looked in good touch except the first half-an hour play in the first inning. Gautam Gambhir seems to be becoming the responsible player game-by-game as proved that he has the temperament also and if situation merits, he can stay rooted, frustrating the rivals with his impregnable defence. The main concerned for the Indians will be their bowling, especially Ishant Sharma who failed to bowl a single maiden over in Ahmedabad test due to wayward bowling. Except Zaheer Khan no Indian bowlers able to put pressure on the Sri Lankan batting order and if it happens again then who knows Sri Lanka may taste their first victory against India in India. Sri Lanka on the other hand looks more settled in both departments. Their batsmen are in prime form and their bowlers Chanaka Welegedera has proved how dangerous he can be even on lifeless tracks and Dammika Prasad, provided he overcomes a hamstring injury, would also be quite a handful for the Indians. Ajantha Mendis is likely to be included in the playing XI that means R. Hearth will have to sit out from Kanpur Test. 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), D.Prasad, C.Welegedara, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis. Stats India have never lost a game at Kanpur since last 26 years. Sri Lanka is yet to register their first win against India on Indian soil. |
