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Asia Cup Preview

High Voltage Clash  - Series – Part II of III

India v Sri Lanka

The two best fielding units in the tournament will go head to head in the second round of the tournament. This encounter will be worth the wait.

Mouth waters just thinking that Jayasuriya will open the batting for one team and Sehwag for the other, Ishant will open the bowling for one team and Murali will wield his magic for the other and not to forget Sangakkara and Dhoni two of the finest wicketkeeper-batsmen the subcontinent has seen.

India have the answer to Jayasuriya’s flamboyance in Sehwag, Yuvraj and Pathan but they are low on the reliability scale. If Sehwag and Gambhir both get out early, Indian line up could be found wanting. This is an area the team misses a player like Dravid who could drop anchor. A typical Dravid type of innings would have bailed out India in the finals of the tri nations series as well. But for Sri Lanka if Jayasuriya fails they although won’t buckle but will struggle to post or chase a big score. Rohit, Yusuf and Raina have to prove themselves on the world stage. Sangakkara and Dhoni, two of best wicketkeeper-batsmen in business will be the men in crisis for their teams.

Players on both the sides are very good fielders and keep your eyes open as they plunge to grab sharp chances and strangulate run flow.

Sri Lanka although have Vaas and Murali in their ranks but Indian bowling looks stronger on form. Maharoof’s strained abdomen has only increased the sorrows for Ceylon. For India, Ishant has been miserly, Praveen has shown tremendous control and Piyush has consistently taken wickets. If Irfan misses the tournament due to lack of fitness, it will be a blow but RP Singh and Gony will look to take full advantage.

Coming to captaincy, both Jayawardene and Dhoni have been extremely good but while Jayawardene has experience to his peril, Dhoni has shown slightly superior game reading capability.

Cricket Forum Verdict (marks out of 10)                  

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