Cricket

India vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI: Preview

India take on Sri Lanka in the second ODI at Dambulla tomorrow and they know that it is now or never time for the team. For the past two months, the Sri Lankans have had the better of their neighbours as one after the other, batsmen have come and gone out to the guile of the M factor – Murali and Mendis.

Tomorrow is expected to be no different but it is high time that the Indians stood up. Much will be dependent on Gautam Gambhir who will suddenly feel like the senior statesman in the team, as Virender Sehwag’s injury will be hurting the team more than him. Now the onus of the start lies on Gambhir’s shoulders alone and the others must rally around him.

Especially Yuvraj Singh, the Indian vice captain has to put his hand up now and good performances will go a long way in determining who makes it to the test squad against Australia in October. Dhoni and the rest have to just find a way to counter Mendis and then score off others, though it is easier said than done in this case. Because then there is Murali to contend with and after him Jayasuriya and Vaas.

There is not much to talk about Sri Lanka though as they seem to be having no trouble putting Indians in their place. But it could all take just one breathtaking performance. Do the Indians have it in them?

Tags: 2nd odi, ajantha mendis, gautam gambhir, Idea Cup 2008, India, jayasuriya, MS Dhoni, murali, muralitharan, odi match, ODI series, sri lanka, yuvraj singh