Stiffer challenge awaits India

PTI / Jul 17, 2004, 15:31 IST

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DAMBULLA: India will have to brace up for a stiffer challenge when they clash with Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup group B league match on Sunday.

<div class="section1"><div align="left" style="position:relative; left: -2"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" align="left" border="0" width="23.6%"> <colgroup> <col width="100.0%" /> </colgroup> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" f3f3f3=""> <div class="Normal" style="" text-align:="" center=""><img src="/photo/781749.cms" alt="/photo/781749.cms" border="0" /></div> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td width="100.0%" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="" valign:="" top="" background-color:="" f3f3f3=""> <div class="Normal" style="" text-align:="" center="">Sourav Ganguly</div> </td> </tr> </table></div> <div class="Normal">DAMBULLA, July 17: India will have to brace up for a stiffer challenge when they clash with hosts Sri Lanka in their Asia Cup group B league match here on Sunday, fully aware that their famed batting line-up needs to shrug off the early season rustiness quickly. Barring vice-captain Rahul Dravid, who anchored the Indians to a comfortable 116-run victory over minnows UAE in their opening match with a 93-ball 104 on Friday, most of the other top batsmen appeared bit rusty after the three-month break. Although the scrappy batting show was understandable considering it was their first competitive outing after the trip to Pakistan, Sourav Ganguly and his men have to pull up their socks against the Lankans who have the advantage of playing at home. The day-night encounter at the picturesque Rangiri International stadium could turn out to be a fascinating contest between the formidable Indian batting line-up and joint world record holder Muttiah Muralitharan who will relish to bowl on this slow track. Though the Indians were not really tested in the opening match against debutants UAE, captain Ganguly has exhorted his players to get into rhythm early to keep themselves on track for regaining the Asia Cup after a gap of six years. "They bowled well in the first 15 overs.In fact, we did not bat well. But it is understandable as it was the first match after the break and things will get better," Ganguly said. "We got a bit rusty. I hope we play better against Sri Lanka," the Indian captain said. The Indians were expected to retain the same team that did duty against UAE, which means off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, returning to the squad after a seven-month injury-induced break, would be again confined to the dressing room. The two young pace sensations - Irfan Pathan and Laxmipathy Balaji were quite impressive in the first match while Zaheer Khan, who is also returning to the team from injury, will be given more opportunities to regain his flow and rhythm. "Balaji and Pathan bowled well in the last match. Zaheer also ran in hard and bowled very well, which is good for the team," Ganguly said. </div> </div><div class="section2"><div class="Normal">The win against UAE has virtually assured India of a place in the Super League but the four-time title holders will be keen to top the group by putting it across the hosts. The two top teams from each group will qualify for the Super League stage. Sri lankan captain Marvan Atapattu was quite optimistic about his team''s chances in the six-nation tournament, saying his players had the potential to win the title. "We have two very strong opponents in Pakistan and India. But if we play to our potential in home conditions, we will certainly win," Atapattu said. "The boys are looking forward to the competition. It is important for us to do well. Expectations are high, which is always the case for the hosts. We have to live upto it as we are high on confidence, especially after the manner we ended the Australian tour." The islanders have a major injury worry with star performer Sanath Jayasuriya down with a side strain. Although the former captain was expected to take the field, he may not be in a position to bowl which was bound to affect the composition of the side. "I am not sure if he can bowl or not. But if he is ruled out from bowling in the entire tournament, it will definitely affect the composition of the side," Atapattu said. The slow nature of the track at the Rangiri stadium should provide some assistance to the spinners as was evident in the first game on Friday. Both Anil Kumble and Sachin Tendulkar managed to obtain some turn making it difficult for the batsmen to play their strokes. It will be interesting to see how the Indian batsmen counter Muralitharan who has a very good track record at this ground, having claimed 5 for 23 against Pakistan two seasons back. Despite the ban on his ''doosra'', a ball that moves away from the right-hander, the wily off-spinner has the experience and the variety to trouble the Indian batsmen. Teams (from):- India - Sourav Gangully (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Shewag, V V S Laxman, Rahul Darvid, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammad Kaif, Parthiv Patel, Ashish Nehra, Anil Kumble, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Lakshmipathy Balaji. Sri Lanka - Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardena, Tilakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Upul Chandana, Rangana Herath, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Lasith Malinga. Umpires: Billy Doctrove (WI) and Peter Parker (SA) Third umpire: Nadeem Ghouri (Pakistan) Match referee: Mike Procter (SA) Hours of play (IST): 2.15 pm to 5.45 pm; 6.15 pm till close of play. </div> </div>

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