Tag INDinSL2012

Indian cricket fans have been sulking for a while now. Their beloved team have been resting. And rightly so. Indian cricketers, though one of the highest paid and most popular, have a grueling cricketing calendar and the draw of the IPL to deal with. A little bit of rest and absence enhances marginal utility, economically speaking!

Schedule : India v Sri Lanka 2012.

The wait is over though. India take on Sri Lanka is a five match series at the islanders’ home turf. India hasn’t played any cricket since the IPL, while Sri Lanka wiped out Pakistan in a recent home series and are obviously confident. India must feel fresh with the rest and must look to win back the number one position they once enjoyed in the Test cricket circuit. Indian captain MS Dhoni, ever positive, said, “It’s the start of a new season for us. It’s nice to start afresh on a positive note.” The often cynical MSD also added, “There are certain areas we want to improve on, and it’s a good time for us to test how much we have improved and how much more we can improve.”

Sri Lanka is also where World Twenty20 2012 will be played, in September, but Dhoni says the focus is only on the one day series as of now.

"What's important is to be in the present, which means take this series into account, not to think too much ahead about the World Twenty20. A good thing is most of the players who are part of this side will also be part of the Twenty20 side. We don't really need to think ahead of time."

"The good thing is the energy level is up, which means we can put in a bit more effort in the physical department and do a bit more active sports work," Dhoni said.

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene, who is confident, following his team’s performance against Pakistan, said, “We have just finished a series against Pakistan successfully and it is important to continue with the good work.” However, not giving away the impression that he was complacent, Jayawardene added, “We have to work hard to reach the goals we want to attain. It's a good opportunity against India and we need to take the team forward.”

India is currently number fourth in the test rankings and need a 5-0 whitewash to make its way back to the top. It gets lonely at the top they say, but that’s some loneliness any team would enjoy! Current numero uno team Australia would agree.

Fact : India are up with a chance to become the no.1 ODI team on ICC ranking, if they can win this series 5-0. India were briefly no.1 back in 2009 but currently, Aussies are leading the charts, escaping England thanks to rain.