Sri Lanka v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 – 5th ODI – Toss Report
Despite the match being a dead rubber, India gained a crucial advantage after they won the toss and elected to bat in their 5th and final ODI against Sri Lanka, currently being played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium today on August 4. There is a fair amount of cloud cover at Pallekele today, leading to a dark pitch with some moisture.
Despite having claimed a 9-wicket win in the second ODI, the hosts were unable to hold their own against their visitors who, after securing a 21-run victory in the first match, went on to claim two consecutive wins in the 3rd and 4th matches, consequently sealing the series. However, India’s vice-captain Virat Kohli insists that the team is far from complacent, and looking for a hat-trick of wins.
The Men In Blue go into the game with no changes to the line-up which defeated the Lankans by 6-wickets in Colombo, save one – veteran batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rajasthan-c837 Royals during the 5th edition of the Indian Premier League, will be opening with Gautam Gambhir.
Dhoni has elected to bat first, expecting the ball to do a bit more under the lights.
“We think the ball may swing a bit under lights,” said Dhoni – sentiments echoed by Sri Lankan coach http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Thomas-Masson-Moody-c93654.
Meanwhile, the Lankan line-up features some major changes. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 posted at the helm in his stead.
“It's going to be a new experience, and a new challenge. I have my own definite ideas, and I'll get a bit of help from Mahela,” said stand-in skipper Mathews.
This marks the first time since 2 years that both veterans Sangakkara and Jayawardene are absent from the line-up for a one-day - the last time this occurred was during an ODI series in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 in 2010.
In addition to the new captain, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CK-Kapugedera-c1269 has been given another go at proving his worth on the international stage.
India playing XI:
1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashok-Dinda-c1098
Sri Lanka playing XI:
1 http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540, 11 Sachithra Senanayake
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