After a firing bowling spell in Asia Cup Final, Ajanta Mendis seems to be a tough challenge for Indian Cricket team on the Sri Lankan tour. Mendis bagged 6 wicket haul for just 13 runs. And this was not the one night stand for this youngster as he has proved himself at first class cricket where he took over 100 wickets in 19 matches. He can bowl five different deliveries without much change in action and he is currently working on the sixth one, this adds to his dedication and passion. Sri Lankan cricket is looking Mendis as an ideal replacement of Murali and has remarked him as a 'threat' for Indians in the whole tour. But, Test Cricket is a different ball game and Mendis hasn't played even one. Also, Indians are considered to be good players of spin attack and the team in Asia Cup final wasn't the experienced one compared to what he'll face in the test series. Many experts have denied him of being a threat for his rivals. But, Ranatunga has some different views over the issue, somewhat mixed ones.
"Ajantha has done well in ODIs and I am sure he would do well in Tests too though I can't say he would play as I am not a selector and can't pick him. It would be a big challenge for him to bowl to top Indian batsmen like Rahul, Sachin, Ganguly and Laxman," he said.
"The series may see Sachin go past (Brian) Lara's record (the master batsman needs 171 more to become the highest run-getter in Test cricket) or we may see him struggling against Mendis," he added.
Ajanta's performance would be under a knife, he has set a lot of fire before the match. Whatever be his performance but Indians must take him seriously after the defeat.
0 comments:
Post a Comment