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India team who has already registered their name on the IDBI Fortis Wealthinsurance cup will now aim for record straight ninth win in the 4^th ODI against Sri Lanka. On the other hand Sri Lanka will look to salvage their pride and will try to win the last two ODI’s to gain the confidence before the two test match series against Pakistan.

This is Sri Lanka third successive series loss at home two from the hands of Indians and one to England in 2007. Now they have only two games left in this series to gain some lost confidence.

Sri Lankan team is not only need to lift their game after their biggest defeat in the 3^rd ODI but also need to win the remaining matches to gain their lost pride. But the situation is looking more difficult for Mahela Jayawardne and his company as Indian team are playing good cricket and are confidant of winning the series 5-0. It’s very interesting to see how M.Jayawardne tackles the Indian batsman and their bowlers in the remaining matches of the series.

Sri Lanka ODI record after the world cup 2007 is not good apart from couple of win. They manage to win Asia Cup and a recent ODI series win against Pakistan, apart from that they didn’t have much success.

Another win for India here will help them to register a record straight win by any Indian side. Previously S.Gavaskar and S.Galnguly side manage to win eight on the trot and now M.S.Dhoni and his men equal the record and need one win to register a national record for India.

Everything has gone well for M.S.Dhoni and his men in the series and the team will be keen to keep the winning sequence going. The Indian batting looks far superior than the Sri Lankans and bowling also look disciplined to bring the desire results in their favor.

On the other hand home side is struggling in all departments of their game. Their bowling and fielding looks vulnerable in the last game, their batsman has also struggling to find the touch. All in all they need to learn from their mistakes and improve in certain areas if they want to give their crowd something to cheer about.

Watch out for

M. Muralitharan: He needs only one more wicket to become the leading wicket takers in world cricket and he love to achieve the same before the last match of the series.

S.Tendulkar: This man feels himself unlucky on all three previous occasions. He was given out lbw on all three occasions but he must have some plan now on how to tackle this situation and make up for all previous three innings. So watch out when this man walks onto bat in the fourth one day international.

T.Dilshan: The dangerous T.Dilshan not able to fire in this series so far but underestimating him will be trouble for M.S.Dhoni and his men. He is capable of scoring quick and at certain pace which we already saw in the previous game as well as during Pakistan Series.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch R.Premdasa Stadium as we have seen on previous occasion will provide help for batsman as well as bowlers. But team batting first has more advantage than the team batting second as we have seen that ball seams and spin more under lights. However it is expected to support the batsman and any score around 275 will be more than a defendable total. Once again toss will play important factor on the outcome of this game.

Stats & Trivia

If M.S.Dhoni and his men able to win fourth ODI then it will be record for team India to register straight nine win on the trot.

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

Team News

As Dhoni suggested during the post match presentation during 3^rd ODI of testing the bench strength so we might expect few changes in the team. Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh and P.Ojha might get rested. That mean Rohit Sharma, I.Pathan and R.Jadeja is likely to be included in the playing XI.

So far Sri Lankan team struggle with same combination and they might think of changing it. The likely changes will be bringing allrounder Angelo Mathews in place of D.Fernando.

Likely Playing XI for both teams (Match is schedule to begin at 14:30 PM India Time on 5^th Of February)

India Squad: Sachin Tendulkar, V.Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, S.Raina, R.Sharma, M.S.Dhoni (Captain & WK), Yusuf Pathan, R.Jadeja, I.Pathan, I.Sharma, P.Kumar.

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