http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MS-Dhoni-c2028 has won the toss and his side will be batting first against Sri Lanka, with play shortly commencing at the half-empty Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa,
Hambantota, July 21, 2012.
The skipper confirmed the inclusion of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Irfan-Pathan-c1601, after earlier hinted the need of playing an all-rounder. He further reckons the toss to hold greater significance at this venue. There was also some disappointing news for touring party after it was confirmed
that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-Sharma-c83352 was tested positive for recreational drugs following his rave party antics during the Indian Premier League season 5.
He however, was not in the line-up despite the Men in Blue going spin-heavy, playing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Sehwag-c2739,
with http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SR-Tendulkar-c2556 rested for the series.
The hosts are in satisfactory form, following their series win (ODIs and Tests) against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SL-Malinga-c2540 is also back in the ODI setup, while Tillakaratne
Dilshan also returns after missing the final Test against the Men in Green.
The two finalists of last year’s World Cup have met quite a lot in recent times. Both contested in the Commonwealth Bank Series Down Under, along with playing in the Asia Cup 2012 held in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747.
The series comes after a surprising one-and-half month lay-off for the Men in Blue. They will be hoping to continue their good run on Lankan soil, which has seen them emerge victorious on their last two visits.
As for the pitch, it is expected to remain on the slower side with a strong breeze making things difficult for players.
Sri Lanka Playing XI:
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/KMDN-Kulasekara-c1802, SL Malinga, HMRKB Herath
India Playing XI:
G Gambhir, V Sehwag, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/SK-Raina-c2539, MS Dhoni*†, IK Pathan, R Ashwin, Z Khan, UT Yadav, PP Ojha
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