Numero Uno tag beckons India

Colombo

Sept. 9: Having warmed up with the BCCI corporate cricket tournament, it’s time for serious cricket as the Indian cricketers arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
Immediately after touching down in the Emerald Island, the Indians concentrated on the job at hand, taking part in a practice session under lights for more than two hours.
Even the players like skipper M.S, Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and R.P. Singh, who had turned out in the Corporate tourney final in Bengaluru on Tuesday, opted to slug it out in the field.
Catching under lights can always be tough and coach Gary Kirsten took it upon himself to provide some high catches to the fielders.
The two stalwarts in the Indian batting line-up, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid too matched the enthusiasm of their younger counterparts.
Dravid, not known for his big hitting, then attempted a few big shots against the spinners and cleared the ropes with ease. He was also sharp in his reflexes when he practiced slip catch practice.
In the team that has been picked for the tri-series, only Tendulkar and Yusuf Pathan had not played in the Corporate event. Also with the Corporate tournament being held lights, most of the players would have gotten used to the conditions.
Among the bowlers, Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma looked sharp and bowled with good pace.
After the practice session, Team India coach Gary Kirsten said that they were happy to squeeze in the time for practice. “We were nervous with the flight being delayed. But we are happy to squeeze some time for the practice session,” said the South African.
Even though this is a very short tournament, it is important from India’s point of view. India, who are No. 2 in the ODI rankings, are snapping at South Africa’s heels and a series win here would catapult them to the No.1 ranking