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Will he weave the magic again? Ajantha Mendis |
With the coach Gary Kirsten and top-order batsman Rahul Dravid saying their set pieces on the bowler who could make his Test debut on Wednesday at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Sri Lanka's selectors named Mendis in the 14-strong squad Tuesday.
It is easy to understand as well the views of two knowledgeable batsmen who have mastered most of the top bowlers in their day. Dravid still has a chance to prove himself against a spinner of this nature and ability.
But just how much the Sri Lankans are hoping the Mendis-Muralithan combination will trouble the Indians is all part of the pre-Test psychological battle that is being waged at present.
Injuries have meant that Chaminda Vaas will most likely have Nuwan Kalusekara as his partner with a lot of spin bowling at a venue that traditionally favours seam and swing.
Maharoof injured
While the seam and swing is thin with the absence of Farveez Maharoof because of a debilitating muscle injury denying the extra bowler, whether this attack can challenge India is another matter.
Dravid suggests that the Sri Lanka side is well balanced and the bowling, especially the swing and seam of Vaas is crucial to the bowling line-up in a game that promises much in the way of the challenge facing the tourists.
The Test opens a series of three games, and while it was felt Mendis' debut might be delayed until the second Test in Galle, gong into the game with four frontline bowlers could be a problem and Team India may still have the edge once they see off the initial Mendis mystery.
The SSC is where India heavily lost the third Test of the 2001-02 tour where the bowling attack was affected by injuries. They were missing Sachin Tendulkar though and that is where they can have the edge this time.
