Indians on backfoot in Third Test
Team India's pursuit of a win in the third test to square the 3 match series has been pushed on to the back foot once again by destiny in the form of Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara winning the toss yet again and opting to bat first. Bowlers as usual did not help the teams cause allowing the Lankans to pile up 293 for 4 at the end of first day.
However all is not lost for the Indians and if the bowlers show heart and commitment towards the teams cause India can still restrict Lankans to under 375 as the Lankan team has only a wicket keeper and tail enders to follow if they manage to get rid of overnight batsman Thilan Samaraveera and all rounders Mathews. The West Indian foursome of Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner and Malcolm have ripped through batting line ups time and again on sub continental wickets suited for batting and it is time Indian bowlers too change their mental approach and instead of taking shelter under excuses bowl their heart out and pick up wickets and help the team cause. In this regard some help is required from the skipper, team management and media who should propel the bowlers to put in more effort rather than defend them by saying that the tracks do not offer any help to bowlers.
If Indian bowlers restrict Sri Lanka to under 375 then Indian have a definite chance of winning the match and squaring the series as the Indian batsmen are in very good form. If Sehwag as usual sets the tone, Sachin and company can ensure that India pile up enough runs for the bowlers to have a crack at the Sri Lankan batting for one final time in the series.
By taking the field on the first day, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar achieved yet another milestone in his illustrious career by becoming the most capped player in Test history with 169 Test Matches to his name breaking Steve Waugh's record of 168 Tests. However when it comes to seniority in Test Matches Rahul Dravid is the most senior among all batsmen. Rahul Dravid though played only 142 Tests compared to Sachins 168 has faced as many as 27085 deliveries in Test Matches which is a world record. Rahul Dravid has faced almost 2000 deliveries more than Sachin Tendulkar and if he were to have scored at his runs at a similar pace should have scored almost around 15000 runs in Test Matches. The fact that Sachin has scored 2000 runs more than Sachin after having faced almost 2000 deliveries lesser than Dravid is enough to show why Sachn Tenudlkar is considered the greatest batsman of all time.
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