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Rediff.com  » Sports » Images: India, Sri Lanka gear up for Kanpur challenge

Images: India, Sri Lanka gear up for Kanpur challenge

Last updated on: November 23, 2009 21:34 IST

Image: Virender Sehwag during a practice session in Kanpur on Monday
Photographs: Reuters

Virender Sehwag, who showed flashes of brilliance in the first Test in Ahmedabad, will look to better his performance at Kanpur in the second Test, which begins on Tuesday.

Sehwag struck a sweet 50 in the second innings of the opening match in the three-Test series, and now has a good opportunity to carry on from where he left off in Ahmedabad by playing in his attacking style.

Gambhir in flowing form

Image: Gautam Gambhir goes through the paces during training amid tight security on Monday

Gautam Gambhir is in a rich vein of form. He struck a fluent century, his third in as many matches, in the second innings to help India save the first Test.

Gambhir will have to play a watchful innings early on, and along with Sehwag give India a healthy start, on a pitch that should help the bowlers unlike the previous Test.

Light training for in-form Tendulkar

Image: Sachin Tendulkar chats with Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara and Muttiah Muralitharan on Monday

After missing out in the first innings, Tendulkar made amends in the second and proceeded to score his 43rd Test ton to help India draw the first Test.

The master batsman will hope to continue his assault on the Lankan bowlers, Muttiah Muralitharan, in particular, and help India with his contributions.

Coach Kirsten and Tendulkar in pitch talk

Image: Gary Kirsten with Sachin Tendulkar during practice

Tendulkar became the first player to score 30,000 international runs during the course of the fifth and final day of the first Test.

India coach Gary Kirsten will be counting on him to deliver again.

Hopes pinned on Dravid

Image: Rahul Dravid goes through the grind during practice on Monday

Rahul Dravid, 'The Wall' was in fluent form in the first Test and handled the swing of Chanaka Welegedara and guile of Muraltharan and Rengana Herath admirably.

With the Green Park pitch known to assist fast bowlers, Dravid's perfect technique could be crucial in negotiating the new ball.