Press Trust of India
Ranchi, Feb 11: Shocked by an inexperienced Sri Lankan side on a green top in the first match, India would aim to regain their winning touch and keep the series alive when they take on Sri Lanka in the second Twenty20 game here Friday.
Indians were taken aback when skipper Mahendra Singh had described the Pune track as ‘English’. Now that Dhoni will be playing in his own backyard before his home fans, he can hope to get a typical sub-continent wicket at a ground, which is hosting its first ever T20 international. In the three ODIs played here so far, India have not lost a single game. Looking at the pitch at the JSCA International Stadium Complex here one can expect another high-scoring game.
But there are concerns about under-prepared outfield where the fielders are expected to have a tough time. The JSCA officials have said that they got less time to prepare the ground and as a result many rough patches can be seen on the bald sand-based outfield.
Sri Lanka, with many inexperienced players in the side, have nothing to lose and will go all out to seal the series. However, the job is easier said than done since the Indian batsmen are in good form and will be difficult to contain on a batting track. The match, however, is very crucial to India because even a 1-2 loss series loss against the Sri Lankans would topple them from the top of the ranking table.
The Sri Lankan pace trio of – Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera and Dasun Shanaka – made a good impression on a lively track but they will definitely be tested in Ranchi. Moreover, the Indians have always hit back hard in the sub-continent whenever their backs have been against the wall.
With World Twenty20 round the corner, Dhoni would want his batsmen to respond to the conditions mindfully whether in India or in Asia Cup, preceding the big event, where they will enter as favourites.
And more than anything, Dhoni’s own form is something which would be playing in his mind. The remaining two matches in this series and the subsequent Asia Cup is where he can get his mojo back before the World Twenty20.
The Lankans will also be buoyed by the return of the experienced Tillakaratne Dilshan. The dashing opener will definitely add a lot of weight to the visitors’ batting. He also has the ability to take any game by the scruff of its neck and turn the fortunes around.