Shamik Chakrabarty in Pallekele
Wanindu Hasaranga overlooks the Colombo-Kandy highway from a billboard. That was a three-and-a-half-hour journey’s only brush with cricket and cricketers. Once upon a time, Sri Lanka used to produce stars – from Arjuna Ranatunga, Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya to Lasith Malinga via Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. They are at a premium these days.
Hasaranga quit captaincy after Sri Lanka’s early exit from the T20 World Cup. Chairth Asalanka has replaced him. Jayasuriya is the new head coach, albeit in an interim capacity. Like India, it’s a new beginning for Sri Lanka as well.
The respective starting points, though, offer a massive contrast. India are the T20 World champions. Sri Lanka are the game’s also-rans. Even without Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav the tourists are superior to their hosts. Also, the Sri Lankan camp has been hit by a flu bug, losing fast bowlers Dushmantha Chameera and Binura Fernando to that. Another seamer, Nuwan Thushara, has suffered a broken finger.
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Gautam Gambhir ✉From,
Rahul Dravid #TeamIndia | #SLvIND | @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/k33X5GKHm0— BCCI (@BCCI) July 27, 2024
The Pallekele pitch, however, is likely to assist spin more than pace and both teams might play three spinners. As was the trend across five matches at this venue in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League, it could be an even contest between bat and ball.
Gautam Gambhir, India’s new head coach, is expected to carry forward his predecessor Rahul Dravid’s template to start with. During the Caribbean leg of the T20 World Cup, India played three spinners to good effect and Gambhir is likely to retain a similar combination. Now that Ravindra Jadeja has hung up his T20I boots, Washington Sundar will get opportunities. He and Axar Patel would be the two spin-bowling all-rounders, while leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi could be the third spinner at the expense of left-arm quick Khaleel Ahmed. Mohammed Siraj suffered a knock during training two days ago, but he should be fine.
Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube (if he bowls) will be the two seam-bowling all-rounders and Rishabh Pant will bat at No. 3, after Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The three T20Is give Suryakumar Yadav an opportunity to get into the groove as India’s permanent captain in this format and as he said, his aim would be to carry forward Rohit’s legacy.
Everyone related to Indian cricket expects that the coaching transition from Dravid to Gambhir would be smooth and ahead of the series opener, the former had a special message for his successor. “Hello Gautam, and welcome to the most exciting job in our world as coach of the Indian cricket team,” started Dravid via a video message, as put out by the BCCI. “It’s been three weeks since I ended my stint with the Indian team in a manner that was beyond my dreams, both in Barbados and then a few days later in that unforgettable evening in Mumbai.”
The former coach wished Gambhir luck and success. “As you take over the role of India coach, it is what I wish for you as well. I also hope that you have the availability of fully fit players in every squad. Good luck with that!”
As Gambhir’s ex-teammate and batting partner, Dravid hailed the new coach’s resilience and that he refused to surrender.
He urged Gambhir to enjoy his role. “In the most heated of times, exhale, take a step back and even if it is difficult for you, crack a smile. Whatever else happens, that will shock people.”
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