There is hope. And there is guarded ambition.
Sri Lanka will be banking on their stars, cricketing and otherwise, and hoping that the wicket turns in their favour over the next five days, and that they don’t leave the Indian shores empty-handed again.
With an unassailable 1-0 lead
in the series, the hosts are living in their contended bubble. As a bonus, India will end the year as No.1 in the world if they win the third and final Test starting at the Brabourne Stadium on Wednesday. But they are not consumed by that goal yet.
“Winning the series is important for us,” said captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. “We can reflect on the ratings later. It is important for us not to play under pressure.”
The visitors, meanwhile, are still searching for their first Test victory in India. And the indifferent form of Muttiah Muralitharan has hampered their progress.
“It is still an opportunity for us,” said skipper Kumar Sangakkara. “It is a case of regrouping and getting our basics right.
In the first Test, and even in the second, we created some chances with the new ball. But grabbing these opportunities will be key.”
The whole 22 yards
The playing strip is always a topic of discussion. And the Brabourne track has attracted special interest, as a Test match will be played here after a gap of 36 years.
Experts are of the view that the pitch will afford some swing in the first and final hour of the day, and spinners will come into play from the third day.
“More equal to seamers and spinners than the pitches in Ahmedabad and Kanpur,” was the verdict of the two captains.
The bowlers will also have a literal hurdle ahead of them on the final stride.
They will have to look out for sharp slopes on either side of the pitch. “The pacers, especially, will have to put in more effort,” reckoned Dhoni.
In and out
The toss-up will be between the now-fit Nuwan Kulasekara and Dilhara Fernando for a place in the playing eleven as Sri Lanka toy with the idea of playing an extra seamer. Announcing his decision to stick with Muralitharan, Sangakkara said that Ajantha Mendis would sit out.
India are likely to continue with the bowling combination that won them the match on a placid Kanpur track. Sreesanth swung back into top-flight cricket with a brilliant performance and the hosts will be looking for more from him on a friendlier wicket at Brabourne. The batting will sport a new look at the top with Tamil Nadu’s Murali Vijay replacing Gautam Gambhir. The Delhi opener opted out to attend his sister’s wedding.