Their World champion status, the immense depth they can fall back on in the event of multiple crises, and the advantage of playing at home combine to confer the tag of favourites, even at this early stage of the triangular series, on Australia.
The general consensus is that India and Sri Lanka will battle it out for the right to challenge the might of Australia in the best-of-three finals next month.
Irrespective of the merits of that line of thinking, there is no denying the import of every single one of the four league clashes between the sub-continental giants over the next three weeks. The first of those four battles will be played out — rains staying away, needless to say — at the Gabba on Tuesday as both seek the early initiative as well as confidence-generating momentum.
The profusion of talent in both ranks should make for exciting cricket. That the motor-mouthed Australians will not be involved means the contests between two nations that have always got along brilliantly with each other will also be enjoyable.
Unlike India, who pushed Australia all the way and were mighty unfortunate to find themselves on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline in the Test series, Mahela Jayawardene’s men were swept aside by the home side when they toured Down Under for a two-Test series in November-December. Sri Lanka still aren’t as comfortable travelling as they are at home, but that applies largely to Test cricket. In the limited-overs game, they are among the more dangerous teams, amalgamating natural flair with their versatility in embracing modern trends.
Courageous captain
Their extraordinary run to the final of the World Cup in the Caribbean showcased the brand of cricket they are so adept at. There was experience in the shape of their courageous captain, the classy Kumar Sangakkara, the dynamic Sanath Jayasuriya, the magical Muttiah Muralitharan and the persistent Chaminda Vaas. Complemented by the unorthodoxy of Lasith 'Slinga' Malinga, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Chamara Silva, the experienced core group carried the team on its shoulders until it ran into a tartar, and Adam Gilchrist, in the title round.
Pretty much the same set-up will be on view in the triangular series; India have rung the changes to personnel while Sri Lanka have kept the faith, setting the stage for a battle royale between the tried and tested, and the young and exciting.
The young and exciting, of course, will now have to stand up and be counted. India have decidedly opted to invest in the promise of youth as against the proven abilities of their ageing stars. The wisdom behind that reasoning can’t be questioned. It is up to the younger lads to realise the singular honour conferred upon them, and start living up to the potential that has brought them this far.
The immense confidence shown in Manoj Tiwary by Mahendra Singh Dhoni came unstuck on Sunday evening against Australia, but from all indications, the Bengal right-hander will get another go on the morrow. Originally pencilled in for an international comeback on Tuesday, Yuvraj Singh is likely to be given the day off so that he gets another five uninterrupted days to recover from his knee injury before India’s next game. Dhoni revealed that Yuvraj will not be ‘a hundred percent fit’ by Tuesday, all but ruling out his deputy. It means Tiwary will get another chance to show his stuff.
Surgery
The 22-year-old is highly spoken of by not just his peers but also Ravi Shastri, the cricket manager on India’s tour of Bangladesh in May. Primed for a debut then, Tiwary hurt his shoulder during practice and underwent surgery. His eventual debut on Sunday wasn’t the most convincing, but quite obviously, there is more to him than a 16-ball two.
Why else would, during an optional indoor session on a wet Monday, Sachin Tendulkar spend nearly an hour with the young man, talking technique, cricket and the importance of a strong mind?
Tiwary could also learn a great deal about the strength of the mind from someone like Jayasuriya. The veteran opener is raring to go despite suffering a blow to his jaw during a practice game in Hobart on Friday, an injury that necessitated six stitches. Talk about hunger, even at 38!
Sri Lanka left Dilruwan Perera, Chanaka Welegedara and Nuwan Kulasekara out of their 15-man squad, and look set to play the extra batsman. India should go in with the same eleven as Sunday as both sides eye first blood.
Teams (from): India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Manoj Tiwary, Robin Uthappa, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, S Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma, Dinesh Kaarthick, Praveen Kumar, Munaf Patel, Piyush Chawla, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh.
