Lasith Malinga - Is Sri Lanka skipper a trump card or spent force?

 

While there were plenty of positives in the series for the islanders, one thing they clearly lacked was big-match experience.

However, that box has now been ticked with the return of veteran stars Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Kulasekara.

The major focus in the Lankan camp ahead of the Asia Cup 2016 will be on skipper and pacer spearhead Malinga.

Returning from a knee injury, the 32-year-old will be heavily relied upon by his side to produce breakthroughs early in the innings and stem the flow of runs towards the end.

While there are no doubts about his wicket-taking ability, the pacer has of late leaked a lot of runs in the 20-over format.

Malinga was impressive against the Windies in the November series, with spells of 2 for 16 and 2 for 19 in the 1st and 2nd T20I respectively.

However against Pakistan in the July-August series, the right-armer came under severe punishment from the batsmen, resulting in figures of 1 for 46 and 1 for 40.

Malinga is no longer the decisive factor in India-SL matches, but he does have a good record in Bangladesh.

In his last 8 T20Is in the host nation of the Asia Cup 2016, Malinga has got 9 wickets without conceding too many runs.

While the focus of most teams will be on the ICC World Cup, the Asia Cup will be a good platform to judge Malinga's impact.

Whether one of world cricket's greatest death overs' operator can still deliver despite injury troubles and lack of playing time will be fascinating to see.

But from a neutral standpoint, it is imperative that Malinga continues to bowl his toe-crushing yorkers and slower bouncers with great success to give an edge to not just his side but the tournament in general.

ICC World Twenty20: Youngsters Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah making all the right noises

In the build-up to the upcoming ICC World Twenty20 in March to be held in India, the young duo have been making all the right noises to justify their place in the team. Both Pandya and Bumrah starred for India in the 2nd T20I in Ranchi on Friday to help the side level the series at 1-1.

Pandya who was promoted up the batting order, smashed 27 runs from just 12 deliveries as India posted a mammoth 196/6. Pandya was electric on the field and took a stunning catch to dismiss the in-form Chamara Kapugedera. Pandya's all-round abilities is a big plus for India and he is showing why he can be the answer for India in limited overs cricket in that role.

Pandya has looked to cash in on his experience in the tour of Australia and that has rubbed off on him against the Lankans too. With the Asia Cup coming up followed by the mega World Cup tourney, Pandya looks like to have an important bearing in the shortest format of the game.

Fellow youngster Jasprit Bumrah too has relieved the pressure of Indian death bowling worries as he has excelled in that role against both Australia and Lanka. The youngster was handled the ball in the final overs by Dhoni on Friday and he stepped up by bowling yorkers and full length deliveries that also saw him pick two wickets.

Bumrah fascinated everybody with his skills in the final overs in Australia too where India won the T20I series 3-0. He had picked up six wickets from three matches against the Aussies and created trouble for Aussies with his yorkers. His unusual style of bowling has helped him too.

India have consistently been let down in recent times with the death overs bowling and the way Bumrah has shown his prowess, it has given Dhoni more confidence to try different things.

Their consistency also means that Mohammed Shami may not get a chance in the starting XI as veteran Ashish Nehra too has justified his role as an upfront bowler. It will be tough ask for Shami to replace either Bumrah or Pandya and only depending on circumstances Dhoni may opt for the former.

The skipper has lauded both the youngsters in recent times and if they can continue their hard work consistently then it would help them to cement their places in both the limited overs format of the game.

India vs Sri Lanka: Idea is to pick wickets in first six overs, says Ashish Nehra

India beat Sri Lanka by 67 runs in the second Twenty20 match held in Ranchi to level the series at 1-1.

Nehra who had impressive figures of 3-0-26-2, bowled his overs in the first powerplay and got India to a perfect start.

Nehra stated after the match that the batsmen will come hard at a bowler in a big chase but the idea is to pick wickets even if it means extra runs.

“Everyone knows in the first six overs, the batsmen will come hard at you especially in a big chase. I may go for a few extra runs, but the idea is to pick wickets,” said Nehra.

The senior bowler who made a return to the side after a long time stated that he waited for the opportunity and that bowling with pace isn't a problem despite his age.

“I was waiting for this opportunity for the last few seasons. Till the body holds up, I'm ready to play. Bowling 140 plus hasn't been a problem for me, really.”

With regards to India's fielding that has been so brilliant to watch, nehra stated that this group is the best bunch of fielders.

“I've been around for a long time, I've seen plenty of good fielders. But to see them all in one group is great fun.”

India's golden run continues unabated in South Asian Games

The blue-riband event of athletics was expected to trigger gold rush for India and it went pretty much that way with athletes contributing 10 gold medals to the tally today.

Mayookha Johny (women's triple jump), M R Poovamma (women's 400m), Neeraj Chopra (men's javelin throw), Arokya Rajiv (men's 400m), Arjun (discus throw), J Surendhar (men's 110m hurdles), Gayathry (women's 100m hurdles), Ankit Sharma (men's long jump) and Sahana Kumari (women's high jump) and T Gopi (men's 10000m) were the ones to clinch top honours.

Earlier, the Indians dominated the pool once again to pick five gold on the final day of the swimming competition to stamp their authority in the event.

Seasoned swimmer Veerdhawal Khade clinched his first gold of the Games by winning the men's 50m butterfly event. Other gold winners for India were Shraddha Sudhir (200m medley for women), Jyotsna Pansare (50m butterfly for women) and both the men's and women's 4x100 medley relay teams.

In total, India won five gold, three silver and one bronze on the final day of the swimming event.

Khade clinched the gold in 50m butterfly for men in a Games record of 24.54 seconds. The Indian men's 4x100m medley team also set a new Games record of 3:49.78 while winning the gold.

Sri Lanka was initially declared the winner of the women's 4x100m medley relay event while India took the silver. However, the Lankan team was disqualified after one of their swimmers made a false start during the change of legs, leading to the upgradation India's silver into gold.

Silver winners for India were Sanu Debnath (200m medley for men), Anshul Kothari (50m butterfly for men) and Avantika Chavan (50m butterfly for women), while Shivani Kataria got a bronze in 100m freestyle for women.

In Shillong, India clinched an overwhelming eight gold, one silver and two bronze medals on the final day of the wushu competition.