Cuttack: The unpredictable nature of the T20 format in cricket is that it gives even weak teams a chance to fight shoulder to shoulder against strong oppositions. The game gets over in a jiffy, even before one realises. Every run, every wicket or for that matter even a misfield or a dropped catch can become the turning pointing of a game.
It is against this backdrop, India will face Sri Lanka at the Barabati Stadium here Wednesday in the first of the three T20 matches. On paper, India pack too many punches for the Sri Lankans, but as said earlier, it is the format which levels the playing field.
India have been overwhelmingly dominant against Sri Lanka in the recent past, the loss at Dharamsala in the opening game of the ODI series being their only aberration in all formats of the game. Hence, under stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma, they would seek to continue the dominance in no uncertain manner. However, this Indian T20 side is one in transition with three newcomers – Deepak Hooda, Mohammed Siraj and Basil Thampi. Then there is left-arm pacer Jaydev Unadkat, who last donned national colours in June 2016 against Zimbabwe. This lack of experience in the pace line-up which will be led by Jasprit Bumrah, can pose a few problems for Rohit if the opposition batsmen get going. The spinners Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, both of whom are expected to play, however have been impressive since they came into the squad.
Batting-wise, India probably have not much to worry about except their history at the venue. The last time they played a T20 game against South Africa in 2015, India were bowled out for 92 only and that led to the infamous crowd trouble. The Indian batters should be aware of this fact, but then with the kind of form they have shown in the ODIs, they should not have much to worry about.
With temperatures decreasing slightly here, dew will again play a crucial role and the side bowling second will have a tough ask in gripping the ball. The Orissa Cricket Association has already taken measures to prevent the accumulation of dew on the turf, but then rarely has humans won against nature. The pitch, looks a belter of a track and on this wicket, the side batting first should put up a minimum of 180-plus score to stay in the game.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand will definitely miss the experience of Lasith Malinga, but as Thisara Perera said a few days back, it is an opportunity for fast bowlers Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera to establish their place in the side. The batting looks competent enough, the Lankans have good firepower in Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Nirosan Dickwell and Asela Gunaratne. If any one of the four gets going, it will be problems for India.
But if India’s history in the T20 format at the Barabati Stadium has not been good, then Sri Lanka’s recent past has been worse. The Island nation is coming into this game losing five T20 games on the trot. Their head to head record against India in this format reads 4-7, but it is important to note that India have won the last four in succession. So Sri Lanka definitely have a task on their hands.
They say cricket is a great leveller, but probably the T20 format is greater. The visitors will be hoping that it works for them. The question however, is whether the hosts will give them the chance.
Karthik banks on youngsters’ IPL run
Dinesh Karthik while asserting that the ‘uncapped and less-experienced’ players are not perturbed anymore while representing the country, also said that his batting position would vary according to the situation.
In the absence of regular skipper Virat Kohli, the Rohit Sharma-led Indian squad have three uncapped players in pacer Basil Thampi, all-rounders Deepak Hooda and Washington Sundar while fast bowlers Jaydev Unadkat and Mohammed Siraj are also low on experience.
“All of them have come (into the side) with a lot of IPL experience behind them. They are not as perturbed as they used to be earlier while representing India. The IPL has been a huge confidence for these youngsters,” Karthik told reporters in the pre-match press conference here, Tuesday.
“I’m sure these are exciting times for the young boys. I’m very confident that they will make best use of the chances given to them. It’s a great opportunity for them. We are trying to assess how each one reacts to different situations. So as seniors our role is to help them as much as possible,” he added.
When asked about his batting position, Karthik said that he would prefer the No.4 position, but then it can vary depending upon the match situation. “I see myself at No.4, but that may change according to the situation,” informed the middle-order batsman.
Karthik also stated that irrespective of the format or the opposition the current Indian side are a strong unit. “The Indian team have reached a stage where no matter which team we are playing, we are a very strong side and we are trying to achieve some good thing on the field every time,” asserted the Chennai player.
Perera confident of bouncing back
Sri Lanka limited-over skipper Thisara Perera said here Tuesday that his side is confident of bouncing back from the heavy defeats in Tests and ODIs, ‘flushing out’ the negativities of the losses.
“It was a bad ODI series but we have to take good things from the first match (ODI win at Dharamsala). There were a lot of positives. We have to flush out the negatives. It’s a new series and we hope to start well,” the newly-appointed limited overs captain told reporters.
“We have good talents, death bowlers, power hitters. We will do our best tomorrow (Wednesday). I’ve to give more confidence to the young players. I don’t think they are under pressure, and I know they have good mindset and they can come very strongly,” added Perera.
The visiting team are focusing on playing their natural game rather than thinking of the strength of the opposition. “We will bank on our talent and not think about the opposition,” Perera asserted. He however, declined to comment on the exclusion of pacer Lasith Malinga, who is considered as one of the best T20 bowlers. “It was a decision taken by the selectors,” Perera informed.
Speaking about the poor show by the middle-order in the last ODI, Perera said, “Yes, we got a good start but the middle-order failed to execute the plans and we lost the game. I am confident it won’t happen again and again.”
Agencies
