Third one-dayer in Hyderabad today :

Sri Lanka in MUST win situation

By Ranjan Anandappa

Sri Lanka who are facing a must win situation conceding a 2-0 lead to India in five ODI series games now in progress, will have to perform more resolutely and win the third match to be afloat when they take on India today at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, in a day/night match at Hyderabad.

India Captain Virat Kohli and Sri Lanka Captain Angelo Mathews

This five ODI tour came from the ‘blues’ for the Lankans who were preparing themselves for the World Cup to be staged in Australia and New Zealand less than 100 days from now undergoing physical training for the big event, sans any batting or bowling practice when they left the Island on short notice.

It was certain that the Sri Lankan team was physically and mentally under prepared to take on a strong cricketing unit like India. However, with two matches lost it is high time that Sri Lankans come to her own and start performing the way they usually do. They should consider the tour to make an assessment as to where they stand at the present juncture as they are too good a side to keep on failing. The Indians are maintaining their momentum as they had already played four ODI’s against the West Indies, and were to play two Tests and a T20 when the Windies suddenly abandoned the tour over a rift created by the Players Association and the West Indies Cricket Board over a payment issue.

Sri Lanka Cricket was quick to respond to the BCCI’s call to bridge the gap created by the West Indies and came to the Indians rescue by agreeing to play five ODI’s. Sri Lanka Cricket would have thought of the financial gains from the tour and further more to build a good relationship between the two cricket institutions which was not at it’s best when Sri Lanka stood firm opposing the change of constitution by the ICC to give more governing powers to England, Australia and India which was known as the ‘Big three’.

The main issue of the Sri Lankans are their bowling which looks innocuous which lacks the sharp penetrative qualities to disturb the strong Indian batting which is their forte. But the Indian bowling and fielding too have improved leaps and bounds. Pacemen Umesh Yadev and Inshant Sharma were able to get early wickets with their subtle change of pace and occasional bouncer while the spinners Ravichandra Ashwin and Axar Patel, although expensive at times, have done well to strike at the right time to insert the pressure into the minds of the batsman.

India’s batting is no doubt today the strongest line up in world cricket even without their ever reliable skipper M.S. Dhoni who has been rested in anticipation of their Australian tour.

Sri Lankans with weakest attack

Sri Lankans, on the other hand, has limped into the series, may be, with their weakest bowling attack. They are without Lasith Malinga - the main strike bowler in the shorter version of the game, Nuwan Kulasekera who has not been utilised and spinner Rangana Herath who was not considered to go on the tour.

Sri Lanka are still to find their effective opening batting combination. The opening batting slot revolves around experienced T.M. Dilshan, Upul Tharanga and Kusal Janith Perera. Tharanga scored only 28 and looked extremely vulnerable outside his off stump against pacemen. Kusal Janith Perera who was brought in for the second match, trying to play across the line in the last ball of the very first over of the match, was judged leg before wicket for no score. Perera who looks a replica of Sanath Jayasuriya while in full flow, is no doubt blessed with an abundance of talent, but, going for extravagant shots too early in the innings, has brought his downfall.

Perera should keep in his mind to grab every opportunity that comes his way to cement his place in the side. Likewise players like Chaturanga de Silva - a good left-arm spinner and a more than useful batsman, along with Ashan Priyanjan, Niroshan Dickwella and Lahiru Gamage too, should prove their worth in the side and fight their way to be in the 2015 World Cup squad.

The Teams

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (Captain), Tillekeratne Dilshan, Kusal Janith Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Upul Tharanga, Ashan Priyanjan, Thisara Perera, Chaturanga de Silva, Seekuge Prasanna, Niroshan Dickwella, Lahiru Gamage, Suraj Randive, Nuwan Kulasekera and Dammika Prasad.

India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Varun Aaron, Ravichandra Ashwin, Shikar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhawal Kulkarni, Amith Mishra, Axar Patel, Ajakya Rehane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Widhman Saha, Inshant Sharma, Murali Vijay and Umesh Yadev.