Hyderabad: With two easy wins India looks all set to seal the five game series when they take on dilapidated Sri Lanka in the 3rd One Day International here Sunday at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Sri Lanka, who filled the void created by West Indies sudden pull out of the tour last month, have not only looked unprepared but also found wanting in the bowling department due to the absence of their main spearhead Lasith Malinga and Rangana Hearath. They did put up a decent performance with the willow in the second ODI in Ahmedabad.
The Hyderabad wicket is normally full of and would be no different for this encounter. On winning the toss, a team may be in two minds with the dew factor coming in later. So far, Sri Lanka have won both the tosses in the series.
For Sri Lanka its important to strengthen their bowling attack which has so far looked listless. In a current scenario Nuwan Kulasekara might get the nod of the team thank to bolster the bowling. The inclusion of Kulasekara should help matters as they can get him to restrict India to begin with. He also brings in experience into the pace attack which comprises of Dhammika Prasad and Lahiru Gamage.
The batting has collapsed in both games, though a rearguard action by Angelo Mathews and Prasad got them to a decent score in the second ODI at Ahmedabad. They need the top order to fire. Kusal Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan have to provide a good start. Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and skipper Mathews present a solid middle order, but Seekuge Prasanna and Ashan Priyanjan haven't fired yet.
India are settled as far as their batting goes. Ambati Rayudu fired in the last game and has given a good account of himself. Shikhar Dhawan has been in terrific form and so has Ajinkya Rahane, though he failed in the last game. Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina are the more experienced batsmen in the camp. With the likes of Ravindra Jadeja, Akshar Patel, and Ravichandran Ashwin to follow, India has quite a long batting line-up.
In the last game, India opted to play three spinners. Perhaps they may want to bring in a fast-bowler for this encounter. Ashwin did not play the West Indies series and it makes sense to persist with him. Perhaps an Akshar Patel, who performed well in his home ground, may have to make way for a Dhawal Kulkarni, if India want that extra seamer. Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma are the leading pacers in this attack.
Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, Akshar Patel, Shikhar Dhawan, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhawal Kulkarni, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Amit Mishra, Stuart Binny.
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (c), Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Ashan Priyanjan, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Gamage, Chaturanga de Silva, Seekuge Prasanna, Suraj Randiv.
