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Ahmedabad: After nearly a year of no Test cricket on Indian soil, action returns in white clothes at the picturesque Motera stadium in Ahmedabad. The stage is set for an intriguing contest between India and Sri Lanka, with the opportunity to become the No. 1 Test team in the world at stake.
The emotional euphoria surrounding Sachin Tendulkar's 20th year in international cricket could well be one of the bigger distractions for India as they approach the 22-yard Motera strip. The embarrassment of a lowly 76 all out against South Africa last year at this ground still rankles. And the skipper knows that even his heavyweight team needs to alter focus to concentrate on the grand old lady of the game - a Test series with a lot to prove.
"We are playing Test cricket after a long time," said captain MS Dhoni on the eve of the game. "It will be good. Of course we need to shift attention now. You play differently in the one-day format and we are playing Test cricket after playing New Zealand (in April). So, we have to apply differently."
The trio of Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman will be desperate to stamp their class yet again as they strive to get India closer to that elusive No. 1 spot. Harbhajan Singh knows his form could well be the differentiating factor against the Lankans. While Pragyan Ojha could run Amit Mishra close to partnering Harbhajan, Zaheer Khan is back to spearhead the pace attack with Ishant Sharma.
"I'm happy with the bowlers and the amount of cricket they have played, whether it is domestic cricket or county cricket," Dhoni added. "Even Zaheer has recovered fully and has bowled well in the games he has played (in Ranji Trophy). So I'm not worried too much about the bowling."
This will be a mean contest as the Lankans, ranked No. 2 in Tests, would want to inflict the humiliation they subjected the Indians to the last time they played each other. Though inexperienced in Indian conditions, their batting has enough spark and spine to cause damage. And backed up by a very good bowling attack, they know they could become the first Lankan team to win a Test series in India.
"We can play two or three specialist spinners and can still have two fast bowlers playing in our side," Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said of his bowling options. "So, that probably is the only difference between our side now and the (Sri Lankan) teams that have toured before."
A recent slump in form, a totally different format and a competitive opponent: India will be tested hard in this true test of cricket. But Dhoni and his team are up for the challenge to defend their unbeaten record against Sri Lanka at home.
Ahmedabad: After nearly a year of no Test cricket on Indian soil, action returns in white clothes at the picturesque Motera stadium in Ahmedabad. The stage is set for an intriguing contest between India and Sri Lanka, with the opportunity to become the No. 1 Test team in the world at stake.
The emotional euphoria surrounding Sachin Tendulkar's 20th year in international cricket could well be one of the bigger distractions for India as they approach the 22-yard Motera strip. The embarrassment of a lowly 76 all out against South Africa last year at this ground still rankles. And the skipper knows that even his heavyweight team needs to alter focus to concentrate on the grand old lady of the game - a Test series with a lot to prove.
"We are playing Test cricket after a long time," said captain MS Dhoni on the eve of the game. "It will be good. Of course we need to shift attention now. You play differently in the one-day format and we are playing Test cricket after playing New Zealand (in April). So, we have to apply differently."
The trio of Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman will be desperate to stamp their class yet again as they strive to get India closer to that elusive No. 1 spot. Harbhajan Singh knows his form could well be the differentiating factor against the Lankans. While Pragyan Ojha could run Amit Mishra close to partnering Harbhajan, Zaheer Khan is back to spearhead the pace attack with Ishant Sharma.
"I'm happy with the bowlers and the amount of cricket they have played, whether it is domestic cricket or county cricket," Dhoni added. "Even Zaheer has recovered fully and has bowled well in the games he has played (in Ranji Trophy). So I'm not worried too much about the bowling."
This will be a mean contest as the Lankans, ranked No. 2 in Tests, would want to inflict the humiliation they subjected the Indians to the last time they played each other. Though inexperienced in Indian conditions, their batting has enough spark and spine to cause damage. And backed up by a very good bowling attack, they know they could become the first Lankan team to win a Test series in India.
"We can play two or three specialist spinners and can still have two fast bowlers playing in our side," Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara said of his bowling options. "So, that probably is the only difference between our side now and the (Sri Lankan) teams that have toured before."
A recent slump in form, a totally different format and a competitive opponent: India will be tested hard in this true test of cricket. But Dhoni and his team are up for the challenge to defend their unbeaten record against Sri Lanka at home.
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