Dhoni may return for tri-nation final
Kumar’s outstanding figures lead India to victory against Sri Lanka.
Dhoni’s presence on the field in pre-match warm-ups has increased the likelihood of his return. PHOTO: AFP
PORT OF SPAIN:
India and Sri Lanka meet yet again, this time in the final of the Tri-Nation Series at Queen’s Park Oval today, amid increasing speculation that MS Dhoni will be back to lead the World Cup and Champions Trophy holders.
Dhoni sustained a right hamstring strain while batting against the West Indies in his team’s first match of the tournament on June 30 at Sabina Park in Kingston. An announcement was made the following day that he was ruled out of the rest of the competition However, India’s most successful captain ever is likely to be back at the helm for the final.
With or without Dhoni though, India are bracing for a much tougher Sri Lankan challenge than what transpired on Tuesday. Fast-medium bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced the outstanding figures of four for eight and engineered the demolition of the 1996 World Cup winners for just 96. India concluded their innings at 119 for three.
Sri Lanka had all but qualified for the final ahead of that encounter and their performance with the bat on the way to an 81-run defeat on the Duckworth/Lewis Scoring Method reflected a noticeable lack of intensity that is not expected to be repeated in the final.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2013.
India and Sri Lanka meet yet again, this time in the final of the Tri-Nation Series at Queen’s Park Oval today, amid increasing speculation that MS Dhoni will be back to lead the World Cup and Champions Trophy holders.
Dhoni sustained a right hamstring strain while batting against the West Indies in his team’s first match of the tournament on June 30 at Sabina Park in Kingston. An announcement was made the following day that he was ruled out of the rest of the competition However, India’s most successful captain ever is likely to be back at the helm for the final.
With or without Dhoni though, India are bracing for a much tougher Sri Lankan challenge than what transpired on Tuesday. Fast-medium bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar produced the outstanding figures of four for eight and engineered the demolition of the 1996 World Cup winners for just 96. India concluded their innings at 119 for three.
Sri Lanka had all but qualified for the final ahead of that encounter and their performance with the bat on the way to an 81-run defeat on the Duckworth/Lewis Scoring Method reflected a noticeable lack of intensity that is not expected to be repeated in the final.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2013.