Although India was able to win the last One day International at Dambulla but the win was not as impressive as thy have liked. There batsman struggle during the run chase of 143 runs so it will be another testing time for men in blue when they take on confident Sri Lanka in the 3rd ODI at R.Premdasa Stadium, Colombo. In the manner the win was achieved by the Indians, Sri Lanka will again start third one day as favorites. There are many concerned for the Indians in the batting department after there batters failed to deliver in last two ODI’s. In the last ODI at Dambulla the debutant S.Badrinath did manage to show some sign of reading A.Mendis but others player also need to assess their game plans while tackling the two dangerous spinners from Sri Lanka. A.Mendis able to get the wicket of classy left hander Yuvraj Singh on both occasions and it is more worry sign for the M.S.Dhoni. However Indian bowlers specially Zaheer Khan looks in superb shape at Dambulla and Indians will be hoping for same miracle at batting friendly condition. Watch out for A.Mendis and M.Muralidaran: Can they able to stop the Indians for scoring big runs. The question will be answered soon. Both are very clever bowler and with Murali has so much experience it will become little bit tricky for the Indian batsman to tackle these two deadly duos. Gautam Gambhir and S.Raina: So far in the series both batters didn’t done so much with the bat so they will be eying for big runs on the batting friendly Premdasa wickets. Pitch and conditions The pitch at R.Premdasa Stadium, Colombo is as usual will be firm and hard and provide lot of runs for the batsman. Unlike Dambulla we will witness another high scoring game in 3rd ODI. So the captain winning the toss would most likely to bat first. Team News Chaminda Vaas who miss the last ODI due to stiffness is probably back in the playing XI in place of Dilhara Fernando. For India Gautam Gambhir is fit and will be back in the squad after missing the 2nd ODI in place of out-of form Rohit Sharma. Stats & Trivia Premdasa Stadium always provide high scoring games and team batting first has won 23 times and lost 10 times. C.Vaas needs one more wicket to join 400 wickets club in ODI so if he is fit for 3rd ODI then he will become fourth bowler at International level to achieve the feet. Likely Playing XI for both teams (Match is schedule to begin at 14:30 PM India Time) India Squad: Gautam Gambhir, V.Kohli, S.Raina, Yuvraj Singh, M.S.Dhoni (Captain), S.Badrinath, I.Pathan, H.Singh, Z.Khan, M.Patel, P.Ojha. Sri Lanka Squad: S.Jayasurya, Kumar Sangakkara (WK), M.Jayawardne (Captain), C.Kapugedra, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, C. Vaas, Nuwan Kalusekara, T.Tushara, Muthiah Muralidaran, Ajantha Mendis. |
