Gambhir rubbishes Mendis challenge by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Player:	BAW Mendis, G Gambhir
Event:	Compaq Cup 2009

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DateLine: 5th September 2009

 

Indian opening batsman Gautam Gambhir dismissed suggestions that Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis would pose a challenge for the team.

 

When India last toured the Island nation, Mendis demolished India's famed batting line-up in the Tests claiming 26 wickets in a series India lost 2-1.

 

The spinner had also posed severe problems for the Indian team in the final of the Asia Cup in Pakistan.

 

India play Sri Lanka and New Zealand in a triangular one-day series starting next week and Gambhir believed Mendis would pose no threat.

 

"Mendis had his say in the Tests but you have seen how we beat them in the one-dayers twice after that," he said.

 

"We are coming out of a break and have a lot of energy.

 

"We have a lot of cricket ahead and it is going to be exciting.

 

"There is the Champions Trophy after the tri-series and I expect we will do well as we have done well earlier in South Africa.

 

"Personally, I expect the load to be a great challenge."

 

Gambhir also said that contrary to what is being said, Indian defeats in the T20 WC were not due an inability to play the short delivery.

 

"I think the issue was hyped by the media," he said.

 

"We have done well against short-pitched deliveries even in Australia and New Zealand.

 

"As far as the young players are concerned, they will gain from experience and will surely do well," he said.