India vs Sri Lanka 4th ODI match Preview 31-July-2012
Micromax Cup 2012 | India tour of Sri Lanka 2012 | India vs Sri Lanka 4th ODI match Preview 31-July-2012 |
India lead the series at 2-1 in their five match ODI series as they prepare for the fourth one day which will be staged at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo on Tuesday 31 July 2012. India have the opportunity to win the series and take the trophy home at Colombo R Premadasa Stadium but a loss would level the series up. The 3rd ODI at Colombo was an impressive batting performance from both sides as India chased down Sri Lanka’s 287 with 2 balls remaining. The loss of Kumar Sangakkara at the top of the order will hurt the Sri Lankan’s as he is one of the best ODI batsmen in the Sri Lankan side.
India:
India may lead the series 2-1 at this point but Sri Lanka are right in the series as the matches have been tight besides the 2nd ODI. India will be favourites though since Sri Lanka will be missing their ace Kumar Sangakkara which means the middle order will be as weak as ever and will be under pressure constantly if the opening partnership does not perform. Opening Partnerships have seemed to crumble quite early in all the matches. In 5 of the 6 matches one of the batsmen in the opening pair has been dismissed before the 5 over mark. India will need the early wicket of TM Dilshan as they do not have Kumar Sangakkara to save the match.
Dhoni and Raina have the arsenal to unleash mayhem of the bowlers. Arguably, the awesome twosome are the best finishers on the planet. They are the the game-changers, more so when chasing a target. All-rounder, Irfan Pathan reiterated his credentials with a gem of a cameo in the 3rd encounter. Zaheer Khan and Irfan Pathan, the new ball operators delivered a probing spell to slice through Lanka’s top order. Every bit of rust has vanished in Zak’s armour. Ashok Dinda, replacing the expensive Umesh Yadav fared equally poorly. His inexperience told as Mathews and Mendis ran amok. India’s death bowling frailties need to be addressed quickly. Ashwin and Rahul Sharma will be entrusted with the task of blocking the hosts’ escape routes in the middle overs.
Sri Lanka:
Herath has under performed for Sri Lanka with only 2 wickets from the 3 games and that could mean Sri Lanka bring in the 27 year old leg spinner Sachithra Senanayake. Kumar Sangakkara is injured and will be out for 4-6 weeks meaning Lahiru Thirimanne should be given the spot left voided by the wicketkeeper batsman. Lasith Malinga’s patented toe-crushers in the batting powerplay almost wrecked India’s chase. Although Malinga has been amongst the wickets, he has leaked runs. Isuru Udana, lacking direction and accuracy, has proved to be easy meat for the batting side. He could well be replaced by Nuwan Pradeep in the next couple of games. The Sri Lankan think-tank will be banking heavily upon Rangana Herath and the all-rounders to thwart the much vaunted Indian batting line-up.
Squads for Sri Lanka vs India 4th ODI Match:
Sri Lanka Squad:
DPMD Jayawardene*, AD Mathews, LD Chandimal, TM Dilshan, N Pradeep, HMRKB Herath, CK Kapugedera, SL Malinga, BMAJ Mendis, NLTC Perera, KC Sangakkara†, SMSM Senanayake, WU Tharanga, HDRL Thirimanne, I Udana
India Squad:
MS Dhoni*†, V Kohli, R Ashwin, AB Dinda, G Gambhir, Z Khan, PP Ojha, IK Pathan, AM Rahane, SK Raina, V Sehwag, R Sharma, RG Sharma, MK Tiwary, UT Yadav
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