Sri Lanka vs India - Only T20I - An Equivalence Test for two giants - Opinion
After a one sided ODI series in the Micromax Cup of 2012, India and Sri Lanka will now dish it out against each other in the shortest format of the game. It is just a one off encounter before India’s tour finishes, yet a significant one given the context
in which the game will be played. Both India and Sri Lanka are amongst the top favourites to win this year’s edition of the ICC World T20 on Sri Lankan soil and it is plausible to assume that Tuesday’s encounter would help both sides assess their inherent
loopholes and strengths.
Both teams have had mixed success in the T20 format since the format’s inception. India, under Captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 have been runners up and semi finalists
in 2009 and 2010 editions, held in the UK and the Caribbean respectively. The fact that both teams boast an array of top quality ODI players would most definitely boost their chances in the fourth edition of the tournament, which begins in the Emerald Isle.
Yet despite both teams being favourites, Sri Lanka would have the slight upper hand over India in light of the fact that they are ranked 3rd in the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 on the other
hand, boast the finest batting line up in the world and will bank upon their strength to get them over the line.
Historically India has struggled in previous World T20 tournaments since their title in 2007 and even in bilateral clashes, have failed to live up to the high expectations that their followers have for them since their feat. This fact will be lingering on
skipper’s MS Dhoni’s mind who would acknowledge that his side hasn’t performed exceptionally well in the shortest format. For a side like India, this fact might also become a stimulus for something spectacular.
Tuesday’s T20 encounter with Sri Lanka would be played on the green top of Pallekele. The state of the art facility is one of the three venues for the tournament alongside the Mahinda Rajapakse Stadium in Hambantota and the R. Premadasa in Colombo. Kandy’s
location, with milder temperatures, has historically suited seam bowlers and provides the ideal track for touring sides such as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 to perform well in the upcoming tournament.
India also managed to rout Sri Lanka in the fifth and final ODI of the Micromax Cup on the venue, courtesy an impressive batting performance after they won the toss and took first use of the conditions. Despite that performance, it is fair to say that Sri
Lanka would still fancy their chances against their South Asian neighbors and would aim to avenge the series defeat by notching up a win. Sri Lanka has literally mastered the conditions at Pallekele and their seam attack definitely reigns superior as compared
to India.
In the two T20 encounters against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755, Sri Lanka managed to comprehensively beat their Asian counterparts in the first game before faltering in the second. India on the other hand has failed to win any T20 encounter of substance, with all boiling down
to consistency and a one dimensional approach being considered. Given that the cricket world is preparing for the all important ICC World T20 in September, India and Sri Lanka have an undue advantage in the form of a dress rehearsal. What remains to be seen
is which side will translate this advantage into a resounding win, with one eye on the world cup.
Disclaimer: Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely of the author and do not represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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