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Indian team looks solid in all department of the game in the first two matches of series and that’s why they came out as winner on both occasions. If they continue to play in the same manner as they did on previous two occasions then this is the second straight series win over Sri Lanka in the span of six month.

Apart from few areas Indian team looks more compose and focus than the Sri Lanka. However if Sri Lanka wants to keep their chances alive of winning the series then they found themselves in a must win situation when they take on India today at R.Premdasa Stadium.

On the other hand Indian team is flying high with their seven consecutive ODI victories and will look to create a history by winning the third one day international and register their eight record national win. The main worry for the Indians is they do not able to utilize the batting powerplay in a better way. In the last game they only manage 14 runs for the loss of two wickets. They also don’t have quality spin attack and the absence of Harbhajan from the team makes situation for M.S.Dhoni even worse. So far P.Ojha, Raina, Yusuf Pathan and Sehwag done well with the bat but if Sri Lankan’s will get solid start from their openers then India may feel the heat in the middle overs.

Sri Lanka have a proud home record to protect but they have been outplayed in the two games so far. However the good sign for the Sri Lanka is, return of form for their Captain M.Jayawardne and youngster T.Kadamby. If Sri Lanka wants to stay alive in the series they badly need century from one of the top three players.

So far Indian batsman done well to tackle both Sri Lankan spin duo Murali and Mendis. In both the matches India took 99 for 1off M&M in Dambulla and 76 for 2 in Colombo.

Watch out for

M. Muralitharan: The bowler of caliber like Murali has to wait for two ODI’s and now he try his luck in third ODI to reach the record of becoming the leading wicket taker in one day international. He will eager to perform well for his team and himself after getting only one wicket so far in previous two matches.

S.Tendulkar: This man feel himself unlucky on previous two outing in the middle but he does not need any luck to perform well on a given day and what better will be for him if he score century to get his team to register second consecutive series win over Sri Lanka.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch and condition at R.Premdasa stadium is dry and will support the batsman. Pitch to be used for third one day international will be different than the previous match. However it is expected to support the batsman and any score around 260 will be more a defendable total with ball seaming and swinging under lights. So again toss will play another important factor on the outcome of this game.

Stats & Trivia

M.S.Dhoni has won seven toss against Sri Lanka in the last eight outings.

Mualitharan is only two wickets away from becoming the leading wicket takers in one day international surpassing the legend left arm pacer Wasim Akram record.

C.Kapugedara has not made half century in his previous 18 innings.

Team News

Due to thigh injury M.Patel is replaced by L.Balaji but he is unlikely to play in this match. So it is likely that Indian team will go into this match with full fledged squad that played in last one day international.

On the other hand Sri Lanka may be struggling but once again team management is likely to go with same squad.

Likely Playing XI for both teams (Match is schedule to begin at 14:30 PM India Time on 3^rd Of February)

India Squad: Sachin Tendulkar, V.Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, S.Raina, Y.Singh, M.S.Dhoni (Captain & WK), Yusuf Pathan, P.Ojha, Z.Khan,I.Sharma, P.Kumar.

Sri Lanka Squad: T.Dilshan, S.Jayasurya, K.Sangakara (WK), T.Kandamby, M.Jayawardne (Captain), C.Kapugedara, F.Mehroof, T.Tushara, N.Kulasekara, M.Muralitaran, A.Mendis.