Colombo, September 10: With impressive recent records against the opponents they are up against in the tri-series, Team India might have landed in Colombo on Wednesday as favourites — and with the No 1 ranking firmly set in their sights. And as the Indians concluded their first practice session in Sri Lanka, coach Gary Kirsten was cautiously optimistic about his team’s chances.
“The team was a bit nervous after the two-month hiatus. But it was good to get out here for the practice session, it was our first one under floodlights in a while,” said the former South African opener. Kirsten admitted that conditions in Sri Lanka were different to those back home but his team wouldn’t take too long to get acclimatised to them.
“We have done well in Sri Lanka in January this year and have won two consecutive series here. We are familiar with the conditions here. At the same time, we know we are playing against two very good cricket teams,” he said, adding that the bowlers will have their job cut out at the Premadasa Stadium over the next few days.
Kirsten said that though India would miss the services of explosive opener Virender Sehwag, who is still out with a shoulder injury, the team would benefit greatly with Rahul Dravid’s return to the ODI fold.
“Obviously missing players like Sehwag is huge. He is a high-quality player and any team would love to have him in the mix. Rahul is a quality cricketer and is a tough competitor, which is always a positive for any team,” he said.
Coach backs Tendulkar’s idea
Meanwhile, Kirsten backed Sachin Tendulkar’s idea of splitting the one-dayers into four innings of 25 overs each to revive the format, saying the senior batsman’s proposal should be given a thought.
“It is a good idea. I know it has been suggested before somewhere down the line,” Kirsten said. Tendulkar had suggested that ODIs be split into four innings of 25 overs-a- side to negate the luck factor associated with winning the toss and bring some excitement to the format which is fighting for survival in the face of the Twenty20 storm.
Kirsten said the option can be explored. “I think what he is doing is that he is just opening it up to see the different options that could be brought about in the one-day game. A player of his stature, one should listen to him,” he said.
–Agencies–