The 3rd ODI between India vs SriLanka will be played in Cuttack on Monday, Dec 21, 2009. It’s a Day/Night Match Start time (09.00 GMT). 2 -30 pm India time.
Yuvraj Singh who missed the first two ODI’s is most likely to fit and will most probably play in the crucial encounter against Sri Lanka in 3rd ODI. The return of Yuvraj Singh not only strengthens Indian batting but Yuvraj is a matchwinner who can turn any match around.
After 2 matches both the teams are tied 1-1 in the 5 match odi series. With the dynamic captain M S Dhoni serving a two-match ban, the Indian team under stand-in skipper Virender Sehwag will have to play really well to regain their lead in the series.
Dinesh Karthik will take Dhoni’s place, while Virat Kohli, despite a good 54 the last game, will have to make way if Yuvraj is fit to play.
Sri Lanka is suffering from major set back with now Angelo Mathews ruling out for the rest of the series, with Thissara Perera flying in to take his place, and it’s still uncertain whether Lasith Malinga will be risked after missing the first two games.
However the main concern for India is their fielding and because of this they have lost last game. The number of catches dropped has gone into double-figures, and the ground-fielding was equally dismal in the last game.
Series leveled at 1-1, both teams will be keen to take the lead in the series to get their hand closer to the Karbon Mobile Cup. Indian team in the last game didn’t have got the flying start and that’s why they were short by 20-30 runs in the end at Nagpur. Sehwag and Tendulkar are in good form will be much expected from both to deliver for the team in critical situations like this.
Likely Playing XI for both Teams
India Squad: V.Sehwag (Captain), S.Tendulkar, G.Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, D.Karthik (WK), Ravinder Jadeja, H.Singh, Z.khan, A.Nehra, Ishant Sharma.
Sri Lanka Squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara (Captain & WK), Mahela Jayawardene, T.Kandamby, Sanath Jayasuriya, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welegedara.
