Galle, July 17: A top-heavy batting order and a beleaguered attack pitted against a balanced side. What is available on paper can barely telegraph the outcome but the next five days at the Galle International Stadium could be an interesting prelude for the rest of the series. The world’s top ranked Test side will lose their throne only if they are to go down in all three games, an ignominy India have not suffered since being whitewashed by Australia in 1999-2000.

The seam department will be tested in conditions that have proved tough even to erudite practitioners in the past. Lack of experience is only going to add pressure on the spinners led by Harbhajan Singh. Given the balance India enjoy, it will be difficult to play five specialist bowlers.

The think-tank might tend towards that theory in their search of 20 wickets but the current rhythm and pedigree of the attack in hand is not enough to displace a batting slot. M.S. Dhoni can only hope for Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh to play a bigger role with the ball.

Abhimanyu Mithun who played the three-day game is likely to make his Test debut while Pragyan Ojha could be preferred ahead of Amit Mishra. The left-arm spinner did his cause no harm in the chances he received against Sri Lanka earlier this season.

Barring Harbhajan the batting ability of the other specialist bowlers is not huge, a factor that can be crucial in close games. Harbhajan who was down with flu was a willing participant in the final practice session.

Sri Lanka’s gain is the genuine all-round talent of Angelo Mathews. His ability to contribute aggressively at number six or seven and bowl 15 overs is a huge bonus. The top and middle order is also better suited for these conditions. Slow turners demand a combination of tight defence and positive intent. In the qualified pair of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, the hosts have more than an adequate answer.

A lot will depend on the start. The first Tests in 2001 and 2008 was decided by a strong batting performance by Lanka. Dhoni would do the side a huge favour by winning the toss. Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir played their part to perfection in 2008 but Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan had other ideas.

India can count themselves lucky with Mendis missing out here. In comeback men Lasith Malinga and Dammika Prasad Sri Lanka have two bowlers with genuine air speed that can be unsettling and are a perfect complement to the spinners.

Yuvraj must count himself lucky to have figured in the list among some of the best to have graced the game. He did nothing of note to merit a comeback after being dumped for the Asia Cup. The century in the tour game came at the right time for a batsman who has struggled to translate genuine potential to Test match runs.

In 33 matches Yuvraj has scored 1,582 runs at an average of 35.95. To be the proverbial link at number six, the dasher has to show more discipline.

India overcame an indifferent start in the home series to post two convincing victories and wrap up the series in style at home in 2009. The team composition wears a changed look now while Lanka look more settled in all departments.

India’s missing link is an open secret and the batsmen will need to provide the cushion for the bowlers.

Conditions here have always aided the bowlers. The protected pitch aids slow turn and a steady breeze keep the seamers in the game.