“I’m sure, many many in the world will be interested to see him perform in the middle that he’s renowned for and if he does what he can do with the bat, that would be the best tribute”. Yet, Kumble reckoned they’d be hard to beat: “People tend to think it might be a bit easier now, but no. Any team at home is challenging”.
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Speaking on the batting line-up India would go with, he said, “It’s a tough one”.
Angelo Mathews will Captain the side, while Lahiru Thirimanna will be Vice Captain.
Some promotional offers make it possible to watch Willow TV legally online free for a limited period of time, such as the offer at this link – or the one-month free trial of Sling TV’s global Sports Package, which includes the all-cricket channel. We have to be patient with the younger guys who need to be given exposure in the global arena. Mathews said that the 1-2 series loss against Pakistan would not have any bearing on the India series. He is the in-form player, had a fabulous run in Test cricket and has the ability to play long innings. We know he has the game for it and let’s hope he clicks because it will be exciting from both the viewers’ and the Indian fans’ point of view if he gets cracking. “They have a really good balanced team and we have to play good cricket to win against them”.
Since then, the Indians have played four series on the island, losing in 2001 and 2008 while drawing in 1997 and 2010. Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep are improving bowlers, and in Rangana Herath and Tharindu Kaushal Sri Lanka have a varied spin threat. “But the mind set has to change”, said Mathews. So we are giving him the opportunity. We played together only in the IPL and this is global match. But the same attack has been playing for the past couple of years.
India seems to be crawling with their indecisive batting order now. This was confirmed by Ravi Shastri, India’s team director.
Chasing 259 for a win on a slow track that was offering some turn, Australia were reduced to 178 for six before experienced Callum Ferguson (45 n.o.) and young Adam Zampa (54 off 49 balls) added 80 runs for the seventh wicket in 13.3 overs.
It is going to be a great challenge for the Lankan skipper who, in recent times, has been the leading batsman for his side.
On what Sanga means to him: He has been fantastic in the last eight years of my career.
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“I am happy with Tharanga and Silva getting runs, especially the latter as he is an opener”. “I look to keep improving every day”.
