India are in the driver's seat, high from their win in the third Test of the India Sri Lanka Test series. However, the ODI tri series represents a different ball game and despite the Indian captain's wish, the team will not be at full strength.
virender sehwag mahendra singh dhoni in car
There are a great deal of expectations from the Indian team, especially with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 being played at home across three nations in the Indian sub continent.
However, while teams would be gunning to be playing consistently in the run up to the World Cup, injuries have not really allowed them that luxury. And the story will be no different during the Sri Lanka- New Zealand - India ODI Tri series starting in Dambulla tomorrow.
The pitch and the crucial toss at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium will not be the sole problem for Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has struggled to win the toss.
With Sachin Tendulkar being 'rested', Harbhajan Singh also out with a side strain that is recuperating from and Gautam Gambhir giving in to a sore knee, India are going through a bit of musical chairs. Tendulkar was rested in the previously ODI tournament also and although, India won the Asia Cup, there are still several things that need to fall into place.
Their fast bowling looks depleted without Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra has been riddled by injury and indifferent form himself. The good news for Ishant Sharma is that he gets another chance, even though many have blamed the shorter format for not allowing the youngster to rest and regain the aura with which he entered international cricket.
Virender Sehwag comes back from injury as does Yuvraj Singh after being left out of the Indian squad for the Asia Cup 2010. And the pressure will clearly be on the latter after Suresh Raina took his place in the Test team and performed with aplomb.
India need to overcome the monotony of not only playing Sri Lanka but also, playing at Dambulla. Their motivation will lie in the fact that the team management will be closer to deciding their few fringe positions and in that sense, it will be a good warm up. With New Zealand adding to the fray, it will give India additional opportunities to test their strength against a team other than Sri Lanka.
It all comes down to how well India use this series to further their World Cup ambitions.
India-Sri Lanka-New Zealand ODI Tri Series Schedule
Indian Squad for Sri Lanka Tri Series Sees Tendulkar, Harbhajan, Gambhir Rested
Asia Cup Final: India Score Emphatic Win over Sri Lanka to Lift Asia Cup Trophy
Sachin Tendulkar looks ahead to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011
India v Australia and India v New Zealand Schedule Released, Revised
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