Batsmen expected to make presence felt in Sri Lanka - India third ‘one-dayer’

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

CRICKET: The much looked forward to five match ODI series which stands at 1-1 after India and Sri Lanka won a match apiece at Dambulla, the focus will be back in Colombo for the remaining three day/night matches at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, the first one beginning today (Sunday) at 2.30 p.m.

The unprecedented spectator interest should provide the Sunday holiday crowd their monies worth and a full house is expected as the match will be played with its usual fanfare.

India gave a creditable performance with their rejuvenated outfit winning the second match in a low - serving game at Dambulla in similar fashion like the Lankans did in the first one.

In the absence of their senior players, specially opener Virender Sehwag who had to opt out of the series due to a twisted ankle, youngsters Subramanium Badrinath and Virat Kohli displayed maturity and were partly responsible for their success in the second ODI.

The Khettarama pitch is known for its slowness , and the match being a day/night affair, various other factors too, like the toss, chasing a sizeable score under lights will no doubt will be taken into consideration by the respective captains - Mahela Jayawardena and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. So, the outcome of this match is anybody’s guess.

But according to national curator Anuruddha Polonowita who was busy with the final pitch preparation, the pitch should be a bit different from the usual one, with a some bounce available.

That could make ideal conditions for batting. The side that bats first should hold the key with the assistance of a very dry outfield, provided that the weather keeps fine. The Lankans are bound to make a change from the team that lost in Dambulla, bringing in Chaminda Vaas back instead of Dilhara Fernando who is not bowling at his best. Left-hander Chaminda Vaas is on the verge of joining the 400 wicket-club in ODI’s, needing just a solitary wicket.

He captured his 399 wicket when he bowled Indian opener Gautham Ghambir in his second ball in the first ODI at Dambulla. Vaas did not play in the second match.

He is only behind Wasim Akram (502), Muttiah Muralitharan (478), Waqar Younus (416) in reaching the 400 wicket mark in ODIs.

Teams

Sri Lanka - Mahela Jayawardena (Captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara (V. Captain - WK), Chamara Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, T.M. Dilshan, Jehan Mubarak, Nuwan Kulasekera, Chaminda Vaas, Mahela Udawatte, Thilina Thushara, Malinda Warnapura, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fernando.

India - Mahendra Singh Dhoni (Captain - WK), Gautham Ghambir, Suresh Raina, Rohith Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Virat Kohli, Subramanium Badrinath, Irfan Pathan, Pragyan Ojha, Rudra Prathap Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Praveen Kumar.