India vs Sri Lanka 2014 – A series win in the pocket for the young Indian side, Virat Kohli and his merry men look onto continue their rampaging run against a hapless Sri Lanka.
A series win in the pocket for the young Indian side, Virat Kohli and his merry men look onto continue their rampaging run against a hapless Sri Lanka as the two Asian giants collide at the mega, Eden Gardens on Thursday.
With the absence of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli is leading the squad against the T20 champions and in turn, handing them crushing defeats in the first three games to take an indisputable 3-0 lead in the series.
If India are to crack the number one ranking on the ICC ODI rankings table, winning the 4th and the final ODI creates a clear compulsion.
Shikhar Dhawan has been handed a rest with a view of the Australia tour in mind and have roped in Karnataka’s son, Robin Uthappa. Out with a thumb injury, opener Rohit Sharma, returns to the squad after a two-month injury layoff, will also have a crack. Keeping the squad in check, there have been some changes to the squad with the likes of Karn Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Kedar Jadhav, at the expense of Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Saha, Ishant Sharma, M. Vijay, Varun Aaron and Mohammed Shami.
On the Sri Lanka front, veteran Mahela Jayawardene and dashing opener Tilakratne Dilshan might get a game.
Besides the two, none of the batsmen in the lower order have cracked top form ahead of the 4th ODI. Team management might rest Kumar Sangakkara alongside Dhammika Prasad, Suraj Randiv and Upul Tharanga. There may be a chance for Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, Ajantha Mendis and Shaminda Eranga getting the nod in the team.
The mystery spin of Ajantha Mendis and Shaminda Eranga’s death bowling can give the visitors some timely boost in the wake of a disastrous performance against the reigning World Champions. The Lankans are without pace bowler Lasith Malinga and left arm slow Rangana Herath in this series and have missed them dearly.
The last time the two sides met on this ground was in December, 2009 as the ‘Men In Blue’ trounced Sri Lanka by 7 wickets, riding on the tons from Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli.
Teams
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (captain), Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Ashan Priyanjan, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lahiru Gamage, Chaturanga de Silva, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Ajanta Mendis, Shaminda Eranga.
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Rohit Sharma, Robin Uthappa, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Kedar Jadhav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, K. Sharma, Axar Patel, V. Kumar.
