Daijiworld Media Network

Colombo, Aug 28 : Sri Lanka won the first Test in dramatic fashion and then India put in a clinical performance at the P Sara Oval to square the series 1-1. It is all set up nicely for the Cricbuzz Cup decider here at the SSC. Can Virat Kohli register India's first Test series win on Sri Lankan soil since 1993? Or, will Angelo Mathews and Co. put up an inspirational performance to deny the visitors? Time will tell, but one thing is for sure. The momentum is with India and the team morale must be high, especially with the way they played in the second Test match.

Well, Ojha has just been handed his Test cap and he will be the 285th player to represent India in the longest format. 'Empty ground. Rained overnight but plenty of sunshine from the morning. It's a little cloudy, but nothing threatening. It's quite humid as well,' reports Ganesh Chandrasekaran, who is at the ground. So judging by what Ganesh says, the humid conditions and overnight rain could help the pacers to move the ball around early in the morning.
India will also have to make a few forced changes. While batting in the second innings at the P Sara Oval, regular opener Murali Vijay reinjured his hamstring and has been sidelined for this game. Vijay's injury makes way for Chesteshwar Pujara to return to the XI after being ignored for four Tests. The team management has revealed that Pujara, who is generally a number three batsman, will open the innings alongside Rahul. Wriddhiman Saha too picked up a hamstring injury during the second Test, which allows Naman Ojha to make his Test debut. Karun Nair too is in the squad but will he get a game?

So how is life going to be for Sri Lanka without Sanga? Mathews has been captaining the side for a while now, but this is going to be a real Test. They played one Test match without the left-handed legend earlier - Pallekele Test against Pakistan - but lost the game. It has been announced that Upul Tharanga, who played in place of Sanga at Pallekele, will take his place again. We could see a few more changes from the hosts. Nuwan Pradeep, who missed the second Test, has regained full fitness and is expected to replace Dushmantha Chameera. Tharindu Kaushal is a doubtful starter after injuring his thumb during the second Test and could be replaced by Dilruwan Perera.

Kumar Sangakkara's farewell game did not go according to plan for the hosts as they were comprehensively beaten. Angelo Mathews hit a centuury, Kaushal Silva and Lahiru Thirimanne registered fifties, but overall, they failed to click togther as a batting unit. On the other hand, KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane scored hundreds, while the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha and Murali Vijay made valuable contributions. With the ball, Ravichandran Ashwin led from the front and was ably supported by Amit Mishra. Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav might not have wickets to show, but they played a crucial role in setting it up for the spinners by bowling tight lines.

Sri Lanka have won the toss and have opted to field

Mathews: 'It's an easy decision. I am going to bowl first, because there is a lot of grass on it. We have three changes, Sanga is obviously out. Jehan Mubarak and Dushmantha Chameera are out, Upul Tharanga and Nuwan Pradeep return, while Kusal Perera makes his debut.'

Kohli: 'I would have bowled first as well. I think the first session is going to be the best to bowl on. Even in the last game there was something in it early on for the bowlers, but we countered it pretty well and we are pretty confident with the way we are batting right now. Vijay is out because of injury, so Pujara comes in. Naman Ojha will play in place of Saha.'

Pitch Report: 'The whole strip has been relaid. There is a lot of live grass on it and it is standing up, but it is in patches as well. Maybe the carry is going to be on the slower side. The pacers will get help in the first hour,' reckons Jonty Rhodes.

Teams:

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews(c), Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera(w), Dhammika Prasad, Rangana Herath, T Kaushal, Nuwan Pradeep

India (Playing XI): Cheteshwar Pujara, Lokesh Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli(c), Rohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Naman Ojha(w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav