India chasing history

COLOMBO: The ongoing ODI series here could be decided on Tuesday night. Having gained a 2-0 lead in the five-match affair, India are in no mood to relent as they look to deliver the knockout blow to the Sri Lankans at the Premadasa Stadium in the third match itself. Their intent was evident on Monday afternoon when the entire squad, barring Zaheer Khan, turned up for an optional practise.
An encouraging aspect for the Indians in the series has been that despite the team not playing to its full potential, they have scripted victories. Opening superbat Sachin Tendulkar (5 & 6) has not yet fired while pace spearhead Zaheer Khan (1-40 & 1-56) has not been in his elements. But there have been enough useful contributions, small and big, that eventually proved decisive.
It has also provided an escape route in tight situations. In the first One-dayer at Dambulla, the bowlers kept the Lankans innings under check despite having Sanath Jayasuriya at the crease. The second One-dayer was quite a test for both the batsmen and the bowlers. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, India scrambled to 256.
The bowlers, who begun well, found the going tough in the slog overs yet they kept getting wickets which eventually snuffed out the Lankan challenge. Dhoni and Co will also be eyeing a historic moment if they win the third ODI too. They will become the only team to have won a bilateral ODI series in succession in Sri Lanka. They had earlier returned triumphant 3-2 six months ago.
The only pitfall that looms ahead for the Indians is complacency. They have to be extremely guarded on that count because the Lankans will now be coming at them with all guns blazing as only a win on Tuesday can keep them alive in the series.
They have already run India close two days ago at the same venue where captain Mahela Jayawardene and the young Thilina Kandamby showed how a turnaround can be scripted. India are likely to retain the XI that turned out in the second One-dayer.
Laxmipathy Balaji, who flew late on Monday night as replacement for Munaf Patel is unlikely to make it to the XI. It means Praveen Kumar, who gave a good account of himself under lights on Saturday, will retain his spot.
No changes are expected in the Lankan squad too, while Muralitharan will once again be trying to have a crack at the world mark for highest One-day wickets.