 India to launch Twenty20 World Cup campaign against Scotland
12th Sep 2007 23:02 IST
Agencies
India will launch their campaign in the Twenty20 World Cup with a group-D match against lowly Scotland in Durban on Thursday, hoping to fine-tune their skills and strategies for the tougher games ahead.
The Indians have virtually no experience in this slam-bang version of the game having played just one match before and it remains to be seen how quickly the team adapts to the requirements.
With the long tour of Ireland and England ending just a few days back, the Indian team, under a new captain in dashing Mahendra Singh Dhoni, hardly had time to settle down and get to know the nitty-gritty of the game or acclimatise to the conditions.
But they will be bolstered by some fresh legs in Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan and Harbhajan Singh, who would use this opportunity to prove their worth and make a return to the national side.
The first task for the Indians will be to get their playing combination right and get used to the bouncy track and the strong wind. It is important for them to hit form early as they square up against traditional rivals Pakistan the following day at the same venue.
So, while Scotland may be no more than a sparring partner, there is every reason for the Indians to get a head start as they eye the big game against Pakistan.
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