The Indian Test team for the Sri Lankan tour has been announced. Thankfully Yuvraj Singh can go and rest his torn knee (maybe even get the surgery that it no doubt requires).
The question that most people seem to have is whether this Indian line-up will be able to tackle the Ajantha Mendis. The difference between the ODI squad and the Test side is that the following batting line-up - Sehwag, Gambhir, Dravid, Tendulkar, Laxman, Ganguly - is better equipped to play spinners (please ask Shane Warne for references) . For now, I do not see Mendis extending his grip over the Indians too long. The first Test will be the one where he makes the most impact.
One bowler who has an outside shot at playing this series is Pragyan Ojha, considered by many to be the best left-arm spinner in the country. I just hope he does not suffer the same fate as the last Indian left-arm spinner to make his Test debut in Sri Lanka. Nilesh Kulkarni took a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket, and then did not take another for the next 70 overs of that innings as Sri Lanka piled on the misery to the tune of 952 for 6 declared!.
2 comments:
Apu
These words - "For now, I do not see Mendis extending his grip over the Indians too long" resonate. Jayawardene, when asked about the phenomenon that is Mendis, claimed that his top order batsmen, including himself, have problems judging Ajanthas deliveries. This to be said after having had the great Murali in their nets for many years has gotta be worth something. Too bad the interview was in Sinhalese.
But we shall see….
If and when you are wrong I think you will be man enough to acknowledge it within this forum.
I don't doubt that Mendis is hard to play, and in the blog I even say that he will have some success against the Indians. The point I made (in the sentence you highlighted) is about his LONG-TERM impact on the Indians. The Test batting line-up has a middle-order that is totally different from the ODI squad and are not novices at playing spin. As the series progresses wickets will be harder for him to get.
So, give it a few matches/series and then we shall see how much of an effect Mendis has on them. If Mendis does indeed weave a spell that they cannot seem to untabngle, then yes, I shall acknowledge it here on this forum.
By the way, take a look at Murali's career numbers against the Indians - higher strike rate, bowling average, economy rate, and a less stellar 5/10 wicket haul then when compared to his career averages. If his career numbers mirrored his numbers against India he would not be the world-record holder that he is today...
http://stats.cricinfo.com/statsguru/engine/player/49636.html?class=1;opposition=6;template=results;type=bowling;view=innings
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