New opportunities await Team India in 2010

New Delhi:

Ending 2009 as the world number one Test team, there is much more for MS Dhoni-led Team India to achieve in the New Year.

While retaining the Test top spot will not be an easy task for India as they play fewer matches of the five-day format, the Men in Blue can vouch for the numero uno tag in other forms of the game as well.

India play two Tests against Bangladesh in January. India also play ODIs against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the tri-series starting from January 5 in Bangladesh.

India also have a chance to prove their worth against the Proteas twice in the year, at home and abroad. They play two Tests in February along with three ODIs in India. A reciprocal series would be held in December in South Africa.

In cricket India have the World T20 to look forward to from April end to show their mettle after a disastrous outing in England this year.

Australia, who won the seven-ODI series 4-2 against India in 2009, return in 2010 for a seven-match ODI rubber.

New Zealand, who last visited India in 2003 for a Test series, are also expected to tour India in the last quarter of the year.

Failing to live up to their T20 champions image in the second edition of the World T20 in England last year, India have a chance to prove their mettle in the upcoming World T20 in May on the Caribbean soil.

Also, cricket is all set for its debut in the Asiad in China and the Indian fans would be expecting nothing less than a gold medal.