Daijiworld Media Network
Pune, Feb 9 : The first game of India's home stretch of T20Is will kick-start in Pune on Tuesday (February 9). It is also the start of a series that is viewed as a build-up to the World T20. The idyllic settings of the Maharashtra Cricket Association sees two teams approaching the three-match T20I series with slightly different goalposts. India's aim is to get a well-oiled machine while Sri Lanka's is to prevent some rusting. So while India are going in with a nearly full strength squad, Sri Lanka have been forced to rest a few of their senior members to nurse injuries and keep them fresh.
India, fresh after a T20I series win against Australia, are closer to finding the right men that will help them bid for a world title. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are seeing this as an opportunity to test out some new faces. Injuries have forced them to leave out some of their regulars. However, under Dinesh Chandimal, there is a chance for a few fresh faces to stake a claim to be considered when the opportunity does arise.
India have rested their in-form batsman Virat Kohli for the series but apart from that are not looking to experiment too much with their build-up plans. It is rare to find context in bilateral series these days but this one certainly is a warm-up series for both teams.
MS Dhoni is not the type of captain who will mess with a settled eleven just to try out new faces. India have more or less zeroed in on their first eleven, and their potential replacements if needed. From now to the World T20, they have a handful of games for these players to settle into a groove. That is exactly what they will be trying out to do.
Some of the areas that they will be trying to address will be the batting abilities of the lower middle order. It went largely untested against Australia. The big-hitting abilities of the finishers assume a higher significance in T20s. India's options for lower-order big hitters include Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya apart from Dhoni himself. The top order is filled with players with enough experience in this format.
The spin options are also pretty straightforward but it is on the pace bowling front that India will be feeling a little weak-kneed. Jasprit Bumrah has had a memorable introduction to international cricket. Ashish Nehrapossessesexperience but in the absence of Mohammad Shami, if it is one unit that hasshown signs of brittleness, it would be the fast bowlers.
Sri Lanka's largely inexperienced squad will be looking to spring a few surprises. This will be their first assignment under Graham Ford, who has signed up for his second spell as head coach of the side. The visitors will be getting a first-hand taste of the conditions on offer during the multi-team event. It is something that they will be trying to take full toll of.
The World T20 defending champions though are still trying to strike their best balance in the short format. They have also been hit with injuries and Chandimal accepts that the series is a challenge for his young squad. In a press conference, Chandimal confirmed that Tillakaratne Dilshan will not be available for the first T20I. Sri Lanka have also brought in Shaminda Eranga for Binura Fernando, who injured himself during practice on Sunday.
The subtext of the World T20 apart, this will also be a season when we see cricket stadiums being packed quite easily. The preparations began in earnest from both teams. Format-specific preparations as is the norm. Balls that were being left alone only a few months ago were now being hit into the stands. Hitting them at different angles, trying out their latest stroke additions, a splurge of variations and people ducking for cover was a common sight during the practice sessions.
While a normally relaxed position to watch proceedings would be to stand just beyond the ropes, attempting to do the same here would be ill-advised. It's no doubt what the crowd will be craving for come Tuesday. There will be thirst for the big hits and batsmen not putting a price on a big shot more than their wicket itself. Pune has seen plenty of packed stadiums for IPL games and one can be rest assured that they will be coming in droves for this match as well. Despite the fact that it is an under-strength Sri Lankan team, the fact that India possess almost all of their biggest stars will be big draw in itself.
Both teams will be wary of the dew factor coming into play. If the spinners are reduced to a non-entity because of weather, then this will be nothing less than a batting shoot-out. It is also a ground where the hitters will be targeting areas. The straight ones are much shorter than the squarer ones. Expect a lot more of wide yorkers from bowlers to counter this aspect as well.