India goes with the edge - India Vs Sri Lanka Series Preview

From the recent past India has become the most dangerous team to set foot in Sri Lanka. Since they toured Sri Lanka in 2008 they have been the far dominant team over-powering the hosts by a long way.
India beat Sri Lanka 3-2 in the bilateral ODIs in both 2008 & 2009 tours in Sri Lanka and also took the Asia Cup from Sri Lanka’s grasps in 2010.
Even recently in Australia and Bangladesh Indians trouble Sri Lanka. This ODI series in 2012 against India will be most important for SL, not just to restore their dominance against India at home but also take the revenge of losing the CWC 2011 to India. But recent record indicates it will be hard for Sri Lanka.
We have looked at the strengths and weaknesses of both the teams may have,

1.     Batting

India boast the best of the batsman in world cricket and their batsman itself are capable of winning matches for their team single handedly unless the opposition get them out early before they get in their grooves as Sri Lanka witness this hard truth in Hobart earlier in the year. Dismissing Virat Kholi along with M S Dhoni has been major issue for Sri Lankan bowlers. After the retirement of Sanath Jayasuriya, not many Sri Lankan batsman able to dominate Indian bowling and take the game away from Indians.

Batsman to watch – India: Virat Kholi

                              Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal    

2. Bowling

Indians were never renowned for their bowling and Sri Lankans are still recovering from retirement of Murali. So Bowling of the both side will heavily depend on two individuals Zaheer Khan and Lasith Malinga. But Indians are likely to go with 7 batsman may give Sri Lankans the edge in bowling. Emergence of Thisara Perera, as a handy bowler for Sri Lanka also gives an advantage for Sri Lanka. In the spin department India will look more threatening than Sri Lanka with R Aswin and P Ojah in the ranks. Sri Lankas only threatening spinner Rangana Herath is not renown for his wicket taking ability in one-day internationals. It will be interesting to see how Young Indian quick Umesh Yadav will perform in this tour. Overall Sri Lanka will have a slight edge in bowling.

Bowlers to watch – India: Umesh Yadav

                             Sri Lanka: Thisara Perera

                   

      Last Five Head-To-Head Results

        2012: Asia Cup: India won by 50 runs in Dhaka
        2012: Tri-series: India won by seven wickets in Hobart
        2012: Tri-series: Sri Lanka won by 51 runs in Brisbane
        2012: Tri-series: Match tied in Adelaide
        2012: Tri-series: India won by four wickets in Perth