SPORT LANKA 3

India are likely to go into the match with two
spinners. Harbhajan Singh would be the first choice and the
other would be a choice between Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha.

The hosts do not have a great memory of their last
Test here, when they were skittled in 20 overs for a paltry 76
after opting to bat first in the first session of play by the
South African fast bowlers in April 2008.
They went on to lose the Test by an innings and 90
runs, their worst defeat at home in nearly half a century.
India's overall record in Tests played at this stadium
is three victories, two losses and four draws in nine matches
since 1983.
More importantly they have beaten Lanka by big margins
on both the occasions previously at this venue – by an innings
and 17 runs in 1994 and by 259 runs in December, 2005.
Sri Lanka, who have come here boosted by back-to-back
Test series wins over New Zealand and Pakistan at home, would
also fancy their chances if the track takes spin early – with
the presence of three tweakers – including the world's leading
Test wicket taker Muttiah Muralitharan – in their ranks.
The previous Test series between the two countries was
dominated by unorthodox slow bowler Ajantha Mendis with his
carom balls but since then Dhoni and his men seem to have
found a way to play the bowler well, at least in ODIs. MORE
PTI SSR
ANU



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