India and Sri Lanka to Replace a Number of Players for the 5th ODI

August 28, 2008 by Biplob Kishore Deb
Filed under: Sports

India and Sri Lanka are going to face each other tomorrow in the fifth and last match of the five-match ODI series at R. Premadasa stadium, Colombo. With India already sealed the series 3-1, the match seems to be nothing but a mere formality and that is why both the sides are going to rest some players to give chances for other players.

India will rest pacer Zaheer Khan and off spinner Harbhajan Singh to bring in pacer Rudra Pratap Singh and left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha in the starting line up. There is another possible change is being considered in Indian team. Wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel might be given a match, replacing specialist batsman Subramaniam Badrinath. In this case, Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni will play as a specialist batsman and Patel will keep the wickets.

For Sri Lanka, there are some changes too. One obvious change seems to be in the middle order batting line up. Out-of-form batsman Tillekeratne Dilshan is thought to be replaced by Jehan Mubarak. Sri Lanka’s two most experienced bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan will be rested too. Dilhara Fernando will play in place of Vaas, while batsman Mahela Udawatte will be included to strengthen the batting line up. So, Sri Lanka will play four bowlers and seven batsmen tomorrow and Ajantha Mendis will be the only spinner for the home side.

Sify.com

Tags: Cricket