The Story
India opener Gautam Gambhir has tagged India as the favourites in the upcoming bilateral series against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. Gambhir feels that the hosts, who look like a depleted side as compared to India’s full strength squad, can pose a threat only if they doctor the pitches in their favour.
India and Sri Lanka begin a three-match Test series from July 26 in Galle.
Sri Lanka Wobbly
India is in a great form as far as Tests are concerned, whereas, Sri Lanka looks in absolute misery after conceding an ODI series loss to Zimbabwe and also managing to narrowly win the ‘Only Test’ of the series. Sri Lanka chased down a record target of 388 runs on the final day to beat Zimbabwe. But, the win came only after four days of resilience from the visitors who are rarely known for showing competence in whites.
This lack of form has made Gambhir confidently vouch for an Indian success.
“Obviously, India starts as favourites because they are the world number 1 and Sri Lanka, the way they have played, they don’t have the bowling attack to trouble India. The only way Sri Lanka can trouble India is to prepare wickets which work for their bowlers,” Gambhir told PTI in an interview.
“The only way Sri Lanka can compete is if they can manage to get 20 wickets and to do that they need to have pitches in their favour,” Gambhir added.
Change of Format Is Of No Concern
Gambhir also suggested that change of format has nothing to do with India’s success in the opening Test.
“Even Sri Lanka played the Champions Trophy, they only had one Test match against Zimbabwe that is how international cricket is now. You need to get mentally ready to get used to different formats,” he added.
“Openers are always important in any format, not only in Test cricket but in ODIs and T20s, the platform set by openers is important, it gives middle order liberty to go and play the way they want to,” said Gambhir.
The Delhi opener may have downplayed Sri Lanka as a strong competitor but he refused to neglect the importance of the victory that the Lankans scored against Zimbabwe.
“It is always good to win against any opposition but you can’t compare Zimbabwe to India. India will be a completely different challenge. It will be far difficult,” he said.