As India and Sri Lanka lock horns at the historic Eden Gardens, it’s Kumar Sangakkara who has got lucky with the coin and has elected to have a bat. Trailing the series 1-2, it is a must win game for Sri Lanka to take the series to the fifth ODI.The track is expected to slow down as the match progresses – a prospect that would delight the spinners. The wintry evening dew would make it difficult for the bowlers and the fielders to get hold of the damp white cherry in slippery conditions. As the match progresses, the wicket will also move on the lower side. In the words of Sunil Gavaskar, it’s a “bat first pitch.” Indian skipper Virender Sehwag, however, said he was happy to field first.
Teams
In the absence of Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag will have to marshal a troop of youngsters. Virat Kohli, who hops back into the playing eleven, has another chance to make his presence felt while Ravindra Jadeja just needs to get the momentum going.
India: Virender Sehwag (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, Ashish Nehra.
A disastrous batting collapse in the third ODI has forced Sangakkara to bring back his most experienced One-day campaigner. Sanath Jayasuriya will not only bolster the batting but also bring in his wily left-arm orthodox spinners. Injuries woes haven’t spared the visitors as well. Chanaka Welegedara, the impressive young fast bowler misses out the fourth ODI due to a groin injury. This gives right-arm pacer Thissara Perera his first ODI cap. Also, Ajantha Mendis makes way for Suranga Lakmal.
Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara (capt/wk), Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Thilina Kandamby, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suraj Randiv, Lasith Malinga, Suranga Lakmal, Thissara Perera.
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