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THE TIMES OF INDIA | Nov 02, 2023, 11:30:58 IST
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IND vs SL Stay Updates: Twelve years on from that dream April 2011 evening when a rustic of billions landed in a frenzy of pleasure, India tackle Sri Lanka in one other World Cup conflict in Mumbai on Thursday, albeit one that’s poles other than being termed an encore.
If that World Cup last was actually a battle of titans in each sense, the approaching contest is kind of a battle of the unequals. India have hitherto marched on immaculately in pursuit of a 3rd title and Sri Lanka have misplaced greater than what they’ve gained.
Unbeaten in six straight video games and largely unchallenged for longer spans, India have displayed traits of being a champion aspect which has the knack of staging exceptional fightbacks.
India’s confidence is irrefutably excessive however larger is their self-belief and belief on expertise — witnessed within the mini-storm created by Australia in Chennai when lowered to 2/3 or when England restricted them to a modest 229/9 in Lucknow.
The doggedness to maintain hanging England till the defending champions have been disintegrated was not solely one other show of their potential, but additionally an indication that India’s opponents should elevate the efficiency bar considerably larger in relation to going through Rohit Sharma’s crew on this World Cup.
Coming into fray as a pressured choice with India trying to reply Hardik Pandya’s absence by creating ‘stability’, Mohammed Shami has solely supplied the happiest of choice complications with 9 wickets — together with a fifer — in solely two appearances.
However the suppose tank led by captain Rohit and coach Rahul Dravid is aware of ‘Particular Shami’ have to be preserved for larger battles forward — for India would nonetheless want Jasprit Bumrah recent and firing to steer via remaining challenges within the league stage.
There isn’t a information on Pandya’s return but, however going into this sport there can be lingering considerations on how India’s younger weapons would go.
Each Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer got here into the World Cup with constant performances within the one-day format, however are but to make a powerful dent on the match.
Gill missed two video games in the beginning and has just one fifty to point out since he returned. He has been responsible of getting out to what’s termed ‘mushy dismissals’ and the younger batter would know the stage is ready for him to get cracking as soon as once more.
At 1,334 runs (24 matches, 5x100s, 6x50s, avg 63.52), Gill remains to be a substantial distance (560 runs) behind the legendary Sachin Tendulkar by way of getting most ODI runs in a 12 months.
Along with his frailties in opposition to the quick ball as soon as once more turning into opposition’s weapon in opposition to him, Iyer too shall be in want of a giant knock. He has just one fifty to point out from six outings thus far.
Iyer’s unbeaten 53 got here within the chase in opposition to Pakistan when the opposition was down and out however the right-handed batter has additionally fallen on events the place there have been alternatives to bat massive and end video games.
There shall be further motivation to place that each one behind when Iyer walks out on the Wankhede Stadium, enjoying a World Cup sport on his house floor.
For that matter, the sensation can be ditto for the native boys Rohit, Suryakumar Yadav and Shardul Thakur.
India’s main run-scorer with 398 runs at 66.33 with one century and two fifties within the World Cup, Rohit will need to make extra reminiscences with the bat in entrance of his raucous and passionate house crowd.
Sri Lanka are not any pushovers however they’ve faltered as a rule on this World Cup after an superlative present within the qualification spherical.
Accidents and unavailability of key gamers have additionally ravaged the crew from the island nation, however its younger brigade ought to profit from going through a top quality opponent in its pomp.
Sadeera Samarawickrama has had a advantageous run with 331 runs in six video games, hitting one century and a fifty within the course of to be Sri Lanka’s main run-scorer.
Pathum Nissanka has additionally completed effectively for turning into solely the second batter after Gill to attain greater than a thousand ODI runs this 12 months. His 4 consecutive fifties within the World Cup makes him one to be careful for whereas his tally now stands at 1,108 runs in 26 matches at 48.17 with two centuries and 9 fifties.
However captain Kusal Mendis along with his artistry with the bat stays Sri Lanka’s greatest batter although the venerable Angelo Mathews is again and has already put in a match-winning efficiency.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers have largely completed a good job given they’ve missed the presence of extra skilled bowlers, however given their assets they are going to hope to place up a combat in opposition to the rampant Indian batters in excellent batting circumstances.
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