India, Sri Lanka seek final push in series finale
Posted on Aug 07, 2008 at 18:34 | Updated Aug 08, 2008 at 00:58
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Colombo: Superstitions are one thing, but expectations present, a far more challenging argument. For India and Sri Lanka, the expectations are perhaps reasons why for this third Test of the Idea Cup series, the opposing captains are more cautious than normal.
While India captain Anil Kumble talked of player confidence and how each member of the team knows his role, Mahela Jayawardene highlighted Sri Lanka's home record in the pre-match build up at Sara Oval.
What should be remembered is that both sides have won Tests by the proverbial ten kilometres or more; Sri Lanka by an innings and runs galore at Sinhalese Sports Club while India turned this around due to some inspirational batting and bowling in Galle with success by 170 runs.
Little wonder that the two captains, when seated on high stools at P Sara Oval, offered thoughts that were cautious. They couldn't do more than that, could they.
The venue is hosting its thirteenth Test, which for some batsmen might decide them to strap on the left pad first and not the right, or pull on the right batting glove and not the left first. Only staging its 13th Test, which includes a neutral game between Australia and Pakistan in 2002 after the Champions Trophy, says much for the ground that staged Sri Lanka's first Test as far back as February 1982.
As expected there is good news for Parthiv Patel who replaces out of touch Dinesh Karthik and explains how even a tidy practice match half-century doesn't quite suggest form. At least Patel's form is enough to give him the nod and in this there is a feeling that at 23 he is a far more mature player than when he last donned the gloves for his country.
Not that he wasn't a mature thinking player when coming into the side in the first place but in the four years he has had to wait for this recall, he will be aware of the challenge that is ahead. Not that keeping to Kumble and Harbhajan Singh is a new experience and his competent glovework, you can be assured, will be appreciated.
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Posted By Sunil Vasudeva
India will lose, no matter what. If they win the toss, their batting will fold up in one day because
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Posted By RAHUL
KARTHIC WAS PICKED IN THE SQUAD UNNECESSARLY DID\''NT BAT WELL BUT WAS GOOD IN DROPPING CATCHES IN THE SECOND TEST.
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