The stakes are high in a series that will witness maestro Sachin Tendulkar beginning his 21st year in international cricket. The first India-Sri Lanka Test, starting at Motera on Monday, bristles with possibilities.
A 2-0 victory for India in the three-match series will catapult the host - with 124 points - to the number one spot in Test rankings. India, then, will be two points clear of South Africa, presently the top-ranked side with 122. India last figured in a Test during March this year when it met New Zealand in Wellington.
Sri Lanka requires a simple series triumph to become the No. 1 Test team with 123 points. Kumar Sangakkara’s men are currently ranked second.
But then, Sri Lanka is yet to win a Test on Indian soil. Sangakkara remains unfazed by history.
The Lankan captain’s comments on the quality of the Indian attack or on the host being under increasing pressure after the ODI setback against Australia suggest he is playing the mind game. The suave Sangakkara is street-smart.
Dilshan recovers
There was some good news for Sri Lanka ahead of the Test. Key batsman Tillekaratne Dilshan has made a swift recovery from an ankle sprain. The intrepid Dilshan, relishing his new role as a Test opener, blazed away against the Kiwis at home. Psychologically, his presence lifts the Sri Lankans.
The pitch at Motera has thrown up a few interesting results. In the last Test here, in 2008, India was blown away for 76 by Dale Steyn & Co. on the opening day. Despite the pitch easing out, South Africa romped home by an innings and 90 runs.
While the surface could be lively initially, the pitch is bound to increasingly assist spin. Considering the quality of the Lankan spin attack, batting first will be the wiser option for India.
Both sides have experience, quality and the big names in batting. Bowling and close catching will determine the outcome.
Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis rocked the Indian line-up when the side last toured Sri Lanka. Memories will be fresh.
The Indian batsmen led by Tendulkar - just 39 short of 30,000 international runs - will be keen to get even with Muralitharan and Mendis.
Mendis’s record
Mendis’s record against India is astonishing. He has 26 scalps in three Tests at 18.38. However, the young Sri Lankan has struggled after his initial days of glory with the carrom ball, picking up five wickets against Pakistan at home at 43.30 and three wickets in a lone Test against New Zealand at 45.00. Left-armer Rangana Herath has pushed Mendis hard during the period.
The Pakistanis, in particular, attacked Mendis early on, not quite allowing the spinner to settle into a rhythm. The Indian batsmen are likely to counter Mendis with an initial trigger movement to the front-foot without committing themselves. Mendis could be played as a leg-spinner capable of spinning the ball in.
Muralitharan, still a feisty competitor, will be keen to improve his below par - by his lofty standards - record in India of 31 wickets in eights Tests at 39.58.
The spin duo will not have the benefit of the umpire referral system in the series. This had been a major factor in Sri Lanka’s victory over India at home. This said, the rules with be same for both the sides.
As Sangakkara pointed out, punishing all-rounder Angelo Matthews gives Sri Lanka the option of including an additional spinner in the in-form Herath. The side, though, is likely to field two specialist pacemen.
The Sri Lankans will also have a specialist wicket-keeper batsman in either Prasanna Jayawardene - widely regarded at the best gloveman in world cricket - or Kaushal Silva, a competent ’keeper and a promising bat.
India is expected to go in with two pacemen - experienced left-armer Zaheer Khan makes a welcome return - and two spinners in spearhead Harbhajan Singh and leggie Amit Mishra.
The side will have to choose between Ishant Sharma and comeback man S. Sreesanth for the second paceman’s slot. Sreesanth’s natural outswing makes him a tempting proposition for the team.
Yuvraj Singh, expected to retain his place in the eleven, will seek consistency in the longer form of the game.
The teams (from): India: M.S. Dhoni (captain), V. Sehwag, G. Gambhir, R. Dravid, S. Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, S. Sreesanth, S. Badrinath, M. Vijay, P. Ojha.
Sri Lanka: K. Sangakkara (captain), T. Dilshan, T. Paranavitana, M. Jayawardene, T. Samaraweera, A. Matthews, P. Jayawardene, T. Thushara, N. Kulasekara, M. Muralitharan, A. Mendis, R. Herath, T. Kandamby, K. Silva, C. Welegedra, D. Prasad.
Umpires: T. Hill & D. Harper. Third umpire: A. Saheeba. Match Referee: J. Crowe.
Play starts at 9.30 a.m.
