Sri Lanka vs. India Preview

So the day is here...India vs. Sri Lanka more or less a knock out match for India. It's time India proves they are no longer paper tigers. Matches are won on the ground, not on paper.

Sri Lanka enter the match with a great momentum on the back of 2 mammoth wins over B'desh and Bermuda (both of them minnows). Understandably their confidence is high, all their players are firing...scoring runs...taking wickets.

India must look to maximize its own strengths and use the weakness of SL. For that one might be tempted to say India must chase considering the fact that batting is superior to bowling and during the initial stages of the match ball can swing a bit and Vaas can be handful.

However, if they are inserted they must look to play off the first 5 overs without losing any wickets. After that they can increase the scoring. Vaas is extremely dangerous only initially...when the ball is swinging around and less effective once the hardness and swing goes off, since he doesn't have the pace to trouble class batsman (mind you he has good control over line and length).

Malinga as we all know is very dangerous because of his pace and unique action. He will bowl the odd quick surprise bouncer to Ganguly and Sehwag (for the matter to anybody). But he can be erratic and will definitely bowl boundary balls. India has to be aggressive and cash in early and hit him out of the attack. Ditto to Maharoof. If India goes hard on these guys, then they can bring out the lack of experience in these 2.

Murali is the most dangerous person. India must play him carefully. This can be done by taking singles and rotating strike and in the process frustrate Murali. Dravid and Sachin play Murali the best and when Murali is bowling, these guys better take responsibility.

Their 5th bowling is going to be shared by Jayasuriya, Dilshan and Arnold. India must aim to make the most out of these 10 overs and target to score atleast 70 runs.

India should be patient with Uthappa. He is a duplicate of Sehwag to an extent. He will fail in some matches but when he contributes it can be a match winning innings. He is a gamble but well worth it. He must play this match.

India has to bowl and field properly and that's my concern. Sadly we have only 1 good bowler in Munaf - rest all are looking average. It will help if Agarkar is replaced by Pathan or Sreesanth. If India bats first, much will depend on how (badly) Agarkar bowls.

The icing on the cake is if India wins, it will take 2 points to the next round (almost sure). But the biggest question is will it...?

Overall a cracking contest awaits us tonight. What more can you ask for on a Friday night ? Well, some may say an Indian Victory...we'll wait and watch.

Come on India - Jeetna Hai Today !!!