India chase series whitewash

India stand on the verge of their 10th straight one-day international victory as they go into the final match of their series in Sri Lanka. And with a 4-0 lead, they will be looking to wrap up a comprehensive whitewash.

Sri Lanka have never lost a five-match series 5-0 but there has to be a pretty good chance that they will have done by Sunday evening, such is India's dominance to date.

India are full of confidence, so much so that they were able to rest Sachin Tendulkar for the fourth match, but the great man should return for the coup de grace. Bet365 make the tourists 1/2 to win it, while Sri Lanka are 6/4.

Usually, you would think that a team who have already won the series would ease up and allow the opposition the chance to sneak a consolation win, but I don't get that feeling from the India camp, who seem like they are desperate to complete the whitewash.

It's hard to see how Sri Lanka can win this match, if India play to their current level, but if they are to win, it is likely to come by batting first and making a big score. And if they are to do that, then they need their big guns to fire.

Kumar Sangakkara, who has been one of the few to show some touch in this series, is the favourite at 11/4, while the old-timer Sanath Jayasuriya is next at 7/2, while Tillekeratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga are both 4/1.

Captain Mahela Jayawardene, who still looks like he is scratching for form, is 9/2, while Thalina Kandamby is 6/1 and Chamara Kapudegera is 8/1.

For India, dashing opener Virender Sehwag is favourite at 3/1, while Gautam Gambhir, whose big hundred won them match four, is next at 10/3. Tendulkar, who is due some runs in this series, is 7/2, while Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni are both 9/2 and Suresh Raina is 6/1.

India are now second in the world one-day rankings and are intent on the No 1 spot so I don't see them easing off. A price of 1/2 may not be overly generous, but it's fair because they ought to win again.