The power of positive approach

By John Cheeran
Play positive.
Sri Lanka’s plan for the last phase of the New Delhi Test is simple and it has begun to yield some fruits. And unlike India they are not carrying any extra baggage like Sourav Ganguly in their side.
The flood of runs that Feroze Shah Kotla witnessed on the penultimate day of the Test has sprouted the belief that the pitch has eased up considerably.
If that indeed is the case, Sri Lanka has the perfect opportunity to tease and test Indians to the last ball of this Test.
By then, Ganguly’s crawl at the wicket, especially in the second innings, will have cast its shadow when India will take a look at the big picture at the end of the day.
Marvan Attapattu and Kumar Sangakkara have played the initial overs to perfection during their chase of 435 runs for a victory.
Most importantly, they have not wasted any chance to score runs; they have approached this fourth innings chase as if they are playing a one-dayer.
The flurry of shots against pacers Ajit Agarkar and Irfan Pathan has given them the impetus to go the full distance.
Sri Lankans are up against history. No side has chased successfully such a big total in the fourth innings at Kotla.
But that should not deter the Lankans in their attempt to script a thrilling win, their first Test win if they can defy Indian spinners Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh.
A Test for skipper Rahul Dravid.