Dhoni-led India squad leaves for Sri Lanka – Cricket News Update
The Indian Cricket team today left Chennai for Sri Lanka, to play the Islanders in five One Day Internationals and a one-off T20 International, between July 21 and August 7.
The limited-overs tour of the Island nation marks start of a packed 2012 season for the Men in Blue, coming from a lengthy off-season. Dhoni and men have not played international cricket since March this year. Their last international assignment was the unsuccessful Asia Cup campaign in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747, where the reigning world champions faced a group stage oust, after an unexpected defeat at the hands of Bengali Tigers.
Though the players in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750’s touring party participated in the season five of Indian Premier League in April-May, it has been seven weeks since they last played in a competitive game.
Indian skipper Mahendra Singh hoped the players would make the most of the rest that they had over the past seven weeks, and hit the ground running when they take Jayawardene’s men in the first One Day International, at Hambantota, on Saturday.
"Most of the players have come back after a long break and the body looks very different and their fielding and other activities look very different," said the 31-year-old Ranchi-born wicketkeeper batsman during a brief media encounter before heading to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758.
"We will make the most of the rest that we have got. It's the start of the season and we want to start it on a good note," he added further.
The first two One Day Internationals of the itinerary will be hosted by Hambantota (July 21 and 24), followed by a doubleheader at Colombo (RPS) on July 28 and 31. The fifth and final one-dayer (August 4) and the only T20 International (August 7) between the two outfits will be hosted by Pallekele.
After the Sri Lanka itinerary, the world champions will host http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 at the end of the year.
India's squad for the tour of Sri Lanka
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajinkya-Rahane-c970
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