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Rediff.com  » Sports » Sangakkara may open in Mohali

Sangakkara may open in Mohali

October 27, 2005 23:53 IST
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Sri Lanka are toying with the idea of promoting Kumar Sangakkara to opener in Friday's second one-day international against India in Mohali.

Vice-captain Sangakkara, who normally bats at number three, top-scored with 43 when Sri Lanka were thrashed by 152 runs in the first game of the seven-match series at Nagpur on Tuesday.

"Sanga having batted like that gives us the option of him opening the batting," captain Marvan Atapattu told reporters on Thursday.

"We've seen him bat like that in Nagpur as well as [the recent ICC World XI ODI games] in Australia."

Sangakkara struck two half-centuries for the World XI in the one-day series swept 3-0 by hosts Australia.

Atapattu urged his players to re-think their strategy after conceding a total of 350 for six in Nagpur.

"At the start I thought it was going to be a close-fought series," he said.

"We were outplayed in most areas in Nagpur but we are very confident of getting a win here."

The teams will have to contend with heavy dew which sets in late in the evening during their day-night contest at this northern venue.

Earlier this month, sides batting second won all four matches in a domestic one-day tri-series played in Mohali when spin bowlers in particular found it tough gripping the wet ball.

TENDULKAR MILESTONE

India captain Rahul Dravid is confident of marking Sachin Tendulkar's 350th one-day international with victory.

"He is not someone who plays for the numbers," said Dravid. "It is a fantastic achievement.

"It has been a phenomenal career and a very successful one. It is just great to see him back on the park after six months out playing the way he does.

"He is just 32 and could play a lot more."

Tendulkar made a successful comeback from elbow surgery in Nagpur, top-scoring with 93.

India's big win was built on a second-wicket stand of 164 between Tendulkar and young Irfan Pathan, who hit 83 after being promoted up the order.

Sri Lanka all rounder Sanath Jayasuriya will not risk his injured right shoulder, playing purely as a batsman.

The 36-year-old aggravated the injury days before the tour, having dislocated the shoulder in August.

 

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Source: REUTERS
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