http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 – One-off T20 – Match Preview
With the Diwali (festive) period over, the Men In Blue are all set to lock horns with the English in the One-off T20 match, which will be played at the Eden Garden, Kolkata, today, October 29, 2011.
The cricket just seems to roll-on for the two cricketing giants, who have faced each other in 15 competitive outings (4Tests, 10 ODIs and 1T20) over the course of four months. The One –off T20 will be finally their last berth, which holds little significance – even for the passionate Indian fans.
Small attendances in the ODIs has somewhat bewildered the organizers, who expected a greater turnaround, especially at Eden Gardens, where the final One Day was held. Despite the series termed as payback, it hardly garnished the response, which points to the excessive cricket (to some extent pointless) played in the country.
However, the One-off T20 might not be on people’s agenda, it certainly holds greater importance for the English contingent, still in search for the elusive win of a troublesome tour.
Their main concern has been the batting, which has failed to come to terms with the turning pitches of the sub-continent. The T20 will offer them some respite, however, one would expect their opponents to again employ the same strategy of playing spinners, which have bamboozled the Poms' batters.
Changes will be expected in the tourist camp, with experienced personnel such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GP-Swann-c1501 will resume his duties and hope for a turnaround in team’s fortune.
The main dilemma faced by the team is the injury to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KP-Pietersen-c1806. He is expected to recover and slot in at the customary no.3 position. Also Jade Dernbach, who sat out the last ODI game, is expected to make a return to the team. With nothing to lose, the tourists will be looking to give their all and hope that fortune for once, favours them.
The Indians are definitely back all guns blazing, however, it remains to be seen how motivated they will be playing the same opposition for the umpteenth time. The only incentive remains for some of the youngsters, hoping to claim a permanent stay with the national team.
It will see the return of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Robin-Uthappa-c2356, who will embrace the sky blue shirt after an wait of three years. The player in an interview emphasized on just enjoying it out on the field, however, a good showing will be a perfect platform for him to get in the reckoning.
The rest of the combination might remain the same, with the only change could be the inclusion of spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/G-Gambhir-c1447 will miss the game after tying knots with Natasha Jain.
The pitch is expected to assist the spinners, so the team winning the toss will look to bat first and get the runs on the board. However, one will hope that the crowd comes in and fill up the empty stands, which will add a little more meaning to the game.
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