In a crucial series for both teams, India and Sri Lanka kick off the seven-match one-day series at Nagpur. Anand Vasu previews the game and says that recent form, flexibility and a winning habit give Sri Lanka the distinct edge

Preview by Anand Vasu at Nagpur24-Oct-2005

Can India’s vital troika conjure up the right formula at Nagpur? © Getty Images
Subscribe to Cricinfo’s Live audioRahul Dravid looked bored out of his skull as he said, “I’m very excited” as the first press conference of the Videocon Cup for the seven-match one-day series against Sri Lanka ended. True to form he gave away very little at the pre-match briefing, saying many words yet not showing his hand. What he did announce was that Gautam Gambhir and Rudra Pratap Singh were two members from the squad of 15 who were definitely missing out on tomorrow’sgame.Marvan Atapattu, for his part, did not even bother to name a short-list. He did clarify that Sanath Jayasuriya, who injured his shoulder in the practice match against a Mumbai Cricket Association President’s XI, was well on the way to recovery and that he was on track to play the first one-dayer. There was also some doubt about Muttiah Muralitharan, who bowled sparingly in the nets, but that was dispelled as swiftly. “It’s not how many balls you bowl the day before the match. Murali is fit and fine.”The pitchThe last international match India played at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, a Test against Australia, was on an atypical Indian pitch, with live grass on the strip. There was plenty in it for the medium-pacers and Australia’s quick men exploited this to the hilt. There’s no chance of a repeat, though. The pitch looks to be on the dry side, and unless there is significant dew in the morning, it is likely to take turn in the second half of the day.Team compositionSri Lanka certainly have the edge when it comes to picking a playing XI, or twelve, to suit the conditions they are faced with. In Upul Chandana, Farveez Maharoof and Tillakaratne Dilshan they have three cricketers who can contribute handily with bat and ball. India don’t havesuch a luxury, and all indications point to two spinners – Harbhajan Singh and Murali Kartik – playing. Logic would then dictate that Suresh Raina will be the man to miss out while S Sreesanth is used as Supersub.Tendulkar’s returnSachin Tendulkar last played a one-day international on April 17, against Pakistan at Delhi. Since then his recurring tennis elbow has kept him out of the side. His return, even though still in some discomfort, was widely welcomed by both captain and coach. “It’s very positive for us tohave Sachin back in the side. He is very excited to be back again and is hitting the ball well,” said Dravid. “I concur with what Rahul said,” added Greg Chappell, “Not just cricketwise, it’s great to have him around the group as well.”PowerplaysPowerplays could play a crucial role in this series as this will be the first time they are used on pitches that are unresponsive to bowlers. In the one-dayers that have seen this new rule in force, captains have tended to get the second and third Powerplays out of the way as early as possible. That may not be possible here if teams get off to a good start. “Obviously it will be a test for captains to see how they can use Powerplays in this series,” conceded Dravid. “As the series unfolds I think both captains will get a better idea about how to use Powerplays.”Coaches asideFor Tom Moody, who came close to getting the Indian coaching job but lost out to Chappell, this series has special relevance. Deny it as he may, there is a bit of needle involved as his team has been on the improve while India are struggling. But he refused to be drawn into commenting on the Indian team or its coach. “It’s not a contest between coaches,” said Moody, “it’s acontest between players.”TeamsIndia (probable) 1 Sachin Tendulkar, 2 Virender Sehwag, 3 Rahul Dravid (capt), 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Venugopal Rao, 6 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), 7 Jai Prakash Yadav, 8 Irfan Pathan, 9 Ajit Agarkar, 10 Harbhajan Singh, 11 Murali Kartik. (Supersub: S Sreesanth)Sri Lanka (probable) 1 Marvan Atapattu (capt), 2 Sanath Jayasuriya, 3 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 4 Mahela Jayawardene, 5 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 6 Russel Arnold, 7 Upul Chandana, 8 Farveez Maharoof, 9 Chaminda Vaas, 10 Nuwan Zoysa, 11 Muttiah Muralitharan. (Supersub: Dilhara Fernando/Dilahara Lokuhettige)