da winzada777： Our two-month break is fast coming to an end and we’re looking forward togetting back into the international fray
Mahela Jayawardene13-Jul-2001Our two-month break is fast coming to an end and we’re looking forward togetting back into the international fray. This Coca Cola Cup should be areally tough tournament and, with the promise of faster wickets, the fanscan look forward to some exciting cricket.The last time we played India we crushed them in Sharjah, winning the CocaCola Champions final by 245 runs. It’s not a day they will want to remember,but to be honest that was a one-off and I think that’s history now.India have been playing better cricket recently. They did exceptionally wellagainst Australia and were doing well in Zimbabwe until the final, so wehave to be on guard. Even without Tendulkar they have a very strong battinglining-up and there look to be plenty of youngsters coming through.When you go out to field against the likes of Ganguly, Laxman and Dravid youneed to play at the top of your game. You are forced to concentrateextremely hard because you know that any of their batsmen could take thegame away from you if you start to relax. For me, their batting is theirstrength.I think we have the edge over them in the bowling department though. Theyhave some talented youngsters, but they don’t have enough match experienceunder their belt. This was obvious when they played against the West Indies.When the West Indians started to attack the bowlers were unable to maintaina tight line or length and I think that was primarily a mental problem.In the end it cost India another final. They have now lost four finals onthe trot, which must be deeply disappointing. Perhaps they are puttingthemselves under too much pressure, which would be understandableconsidering the weight of expectation upon their shoulders. No other cricketteam in the world has to play under the same pressure.There has been talk in the India media about Sachin Tendulkar replacingSourav Ganguly as captain, but this is premature. In general terms Indiahave performed really well under him. He is tactically sound and appears tobe a natural leader. The team may have lost a few finals, but the captaincan’t be held solely responsible for that – it’s a team game after all andresponsibility must be shared.In fact, we have noticed greater vitality in the side under Ganguly. He hascreated a relaxed atmosphere, which has taken some pressure off the youngerplayers. They are encouraged to be aggressive and to play their naturalgame. It’s similar to the atmosphere in the Sri Lankan squad and I think it’s conducive to success.Ganguly has though struggled for runs in recent times and we will be gunningfor his wicket. As captain and a classy opening bat he is an extremelyimportant player for India and a major threat to us. A couple of cheapscores in the opening games, however, and he may start to feel the pressure,especially with the hole left by Tendulkar’s withdrawal.Another Indian player dominating the headlines has been Harbhajan Singh. Thelast time I faced him was in the Asian Test Championship two years ago, soonafter I had broken into the national side. Having seen him on television itis clear that he has improved with greater experience. Nowadays he possessesgreater variation and he is clearly a thinking bowler. It’s going to be afascinating duel between Murali and him.Personally, I am feeling confident and looking to carry on where I left offlast year. I have been playing more consistently in recent times andpreparations have focused on prolonging that. Things have been kept simpleand I have worked on the mental side of my game. I’m fully fit, hitting theball well and raring to go. Let the action begin.