Confident India look to complete a 4-1 drubbing over Sri Lanka in ODI series

With the series already under its belt, a confident Indian team will look to continue its dominating run and complete a 4-1 drubbing over an inconsistent Sri Lanka in the final one-dayer on Saturday, says a report in The Hindu, adding that India have been consistent and have dominated the five-match series right from the start, barring the second ODI, which it lost by nine wickets, after coming into the tournament following a prolonged break.

“The Indians took an unassailable 3-1 lead after winning the fourth ODI by six wickets and they will now aim to end the series on a high. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, never bargained to be 1-3 down with just one to play and it will hope to salvage some pride by making it 2-3 rather than facing the 1-4 ignominy. Jayawardene was honest in his assessment that the hosts were simply not good enough against the world champions and blamed inconsistency for the sorry state,” says the report, adding that for Sri Lanka, it was not just inconsistency but more of an under-performance. Apart from Kumar Sangakkara’s 133 in the first game, Sri Lankans has been below par.

According to a report in Mail Today, Jayawardene was honest in his assessment that the hosts were simply not good enough against the world champions and blamed their inconsistency for the sorry state.

“The hosts came to Colombo with series level at 1- 1. Given the consistent home favour in the history of games at the Premadasa, the expectations were high from the home team to press ahead the home advantage. But it was not to be. Rather, it was Dhoni's men who created history at Premadasa by comfortably winning the third and fourth ODI by five and six wickets respectively,” says the report, adding that for Sri Lanka, it was not just inconsistency but more of an under-performance which has never been seen in a home series of such high stake. Apart from Kumar Sangakkara's brilliant 133 in the first game at Hambantota, Sri Lankans have been below par.

Jayawardene now wants a decent performance from his team in the last ODI at Kandy and then his focus will be on the availability of resources ahead of a busy schedule. 'I need to speak to the management and see how best we can do that. I know a couple of guys are really struggling with fatigue. We will see what the options are and try and motivate them to go out and take up the challenge,' he said.

Meanwhile The Indian Express report says that on Saturday, Mahendra Singh Dhoni & Co will get their first taste of playing at Pallekele. “For the second time this tour, they’ll set foot on a venue in Sri Lanka, that will be unique even for them despite their repeated visits to their neighbouring land. With the series already wrapped up, the final ODI of the five-match rubber will be nothing but a formality.”

“In all likelihood, trying to get a grip of the conditions at Pallekele along with rest of his Indian teammates will be Mumbai’s Ajinkya Rahane, who hasn’t played an international match since December last year at home against England. Rahane had to give way to Sachin Tendulkar for the ODI tri-series in Australia and the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.  With Rohit Sharma, who some believe might still get a look-in yet again for the final match, in disastrous form, Rahane will look to make a strong showing in his first-ever outing on Sri Lankan soil as India make their debut at Pallekele,” adds the report.