Daijiworld Media Network

Mirpur (Bangladesh), Mar 13: All eyes are once again on India's batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar as Team India takes the field for its first encounter in the Asia Cup Cricket 2012 against traditional rivals Sri Lanka. Both teams are hungry for a win and are expected to give a tough fight at the Mirpur stadium here in Bangadesh.

It is exactly one year since Sachin's bat last tasted a century. Yes, he scored his last international hundred against South Africa in the World Cup leaguge match last year in March. Now once again, fans around the globe are praying for Sachin, so that once the goal is achieved his bat will do the talking as it used to.

Dashing opener Veerendra Sehwag's absense might be felt in the Indian top order, as he has been comparitively more successful on the subcontinent pitches than on English and Australian ones.

Speaking to mediapersons, Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said that though the tournament is short, four prestigious teams of Asia are involved, and hence 'we cannot underestimate any team here'.

India has made two significant changes by bringing in explosive batsman Yousuf Pathan and fast bowler Ashok Dinda.

Live from Mirpur :

India and Sri Lanka are up against each other once again after a fortnight. This time the two teams take on each other in the Asia Cup. The conditions are completely different from Australia. There are some changes in both teams. A win for either team today will take them a long way ahead in the race for the finals. Hello, and a warm welcome to Match 2 of the Asia Cup.

Pitch report: The pitch looks to have a greenish tinge and is different from the one that was used in the 1st ODI. It should help the ball to come on to the bat easily. This pitch looks to be a very good one, the seamers should enjoy bowling on it but more than that the batsmen will enjoy the ball coming onto the bat. Sunil Gavaskar predicts 600 runs to be scored on this wicket.

Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to field

Mahela: We are going to bowl first, it looks like a different wicket and we think the ball will come on to the bat in the second half of the innings. Obviously because of the amount of cricket we have been playing it has put a strain on the guys and we are carrying some injuries. But I think it is also a good opportunity for someone to fill in. We are in good form, but that was in Australia, we need to adapt to the conditions and play well here now.

Dhoni: We were also looking to bowl first. There is good competition in the side the youngsters are pushing each other. I am happy with the team I have got but we are going through a transition period but as I said there is a lot of competition within the dressing room and that is good because it brings out the best from the team. It is good to have someone like Sachin in the team because he settles the small and the big things and he has a lot of experience under his belt.