Aug. 2: Injury-ravaged India will bank on their batting to try and square the three-match series against Sri Lanka, which they trail 0-1. The third Test starting here on Tuesday promises to be a stiff test yet for the visitors who are likely to miss the services of senior spinner Harbhajan Singh and opening batsman Gautam Gambhir. Sri Lanka for their part have added Lasith Malinga to their existing squad of 16.
It will be difficult for India to leave out Suresh Raina after his elegant 120 on debut. Yuvraj Singh will thus have to continue warming the bench while Murali Vijay is likely to cling on to the opening slot. The wicket has a decent grass cover and how much of it remains on the morning of the match is a guess.
If Harbhajan, suffering from a side strain and a pulled calf muscle, does not recover in time it’s likely that leg-spinner Amit Mishra will take his place.
India’s No.1 status stands protected for the time being. Even a defeat here will not be able to displace them from the top. If M.S. Dhoni’s men are unable to force a win here, it will be their third successive series defeat in this part of the world, a record they can do without after having done well elsewhere. The weakened attack presents the biggest worry for the side that could find it hard to pick 20 wickets.
The reserve strength does not infuse confidence. The toss will not be key factor as it was as the SSC. As Sri Lanka proved in 2008, it will not be a bad toss to lose as the wicket holds firm till the fourth innings.
With the limited bowling available, the run flow has been the biggest worry for Dhoni. Too many easy runs have been provided to help ease pressure. The strong top-order of the hosts has not been taken out of its comfort zone.
The strong reply by the batsmen at SSC was a confidence boost. Barring Rahul Dravid all the other batsmen had spent quality time and if India can bat first and pile up a score in the region of 400-450, the bowlers should have enough to exert pressure. In case Harbhajan misses the game, the role of Virender Sehwag will double. The opener showed fine rhythm with the ball in Galle and SSC and should fill in adequately. The inclusion of Raina has also pepped up the fielding.
Sri Lanka will look at continuing what they have done well so far. The return of Malinga adds venom to their new ball department, which lacked consistency in the last match. There has been little to complain about in fielding and batting. In terms of combination and preparedness Sri Lanka look a better bet and it will take a much-improved performance from India to force a series levelling victory, a distinction they have failed to achieve since 1997-98.