India aim for final berth against familiar rivals
Cricinfo previews the fifth ODI of the tri-nation tournament, between India and Sri Lanka in Mirpur
Match facts
January 10, 2010Start time 1400 (0800 GMT)
Big picture
You heard it right. India and Sri Lanka are playing an ODI. Again. For the 21st time in less than 19 months. Not even a final. Nor has this been a back-and-forth rivalry that the marketing gurus might be interested in milking. Ever since their Asia Cup final win in 2008, Sri Lanka have been on the receiving end, thumped in three bilateral series, and also the tri-series final in Sri Lanka. The 12-7 scoreline in India's favour says as much.Form guide (last 5 completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka WWWLLIndia WLWWL
Watch out for
Harbhajan Singh had a horrible day in the field against Bangladesh, dropping two catches and going for 56 runs in nine overs. That a game after he was the standout bowler against Sri Lanka. Which Harbhajan will turn up on Sunday?Team news
Nor are Sri Lanka likely to miss Dilshan against India. Because Dilshan is all set to return to action, having recovered from his groin strain. That should push Mahela Jayawardene, who scored a century while opening against Bangladesh, down into the middle order, where he will meet another centurion, Thilan Samaraweera.Stats and trivia
- Twenty of India's last 46 ODIs have been against Sri Lanka. Only 12 of those 46 have been outside the subcontinent. Their next most frequent opponent has been Australia, against whom they have played seven games.
Quotes
"We were disappointed to lose the ODI series [in India] as we played some very good cricket there. Both the teams have played a lot recently and probably both knew each other inside out. I am looking forward to the match on Sunday."Mahela Jayawardene wants to set a few records straight.
MS Dhoni is not subtle in the assessment of his side's fielding effort against Bangladesh
Sidharth Monga is a staff writer at Cricinfo