Patel in as the battle for Asian supremacy nears its climax

Just before noon, with everyone else having headed to the nearby nets for batting practice, Dinesh Karthik, Parthiv Patel and Robin Singh, India's fielding coach, formed a little group a few paces away from the pitch that the decisive Test will be played on starting from Friday.

Karthik sat on his knees and threw the ball for Singh to nick. Behind the lone stump, Patel crouched, helmet on head, poised to take the edges. For him, dropped after disastrous showings with the gloves against Australia [2004], it represented the culmination of a terrific comeback. For Karthik, who batted with such skill and grit in South Africa and England, it was a harsh reminder of the ephemerality of cricketing success.

A few minutes earlier, with the slips lining up for catching practice, it was Patel who had kept wicket, proof if any was needed that he will keep tomorrow. Karthik will feel hard done by, but with the series at stake, India can't afford to think compassionately. He will be the first to admit that neither his keeping nor his batsmanship has been up to scratch in this series.

Anura Polonowita, the curator, has prepared what appears to be a fine pitch. Six years ago, Australia edged past Pakistan in a tremendous Test match that had superb batting, an incredible spell from Shoaib Akhtar and some wonderful bowling from Shane Warne. And just two years ago, Mahela Jayawardene held his nerve as Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning run chase against South Africa.

A hard pitch with a smattering of grass should certainly encourage Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan, and it'll be interesting to see who Sri Lanka choose to partner Chaminda Vaas after Nuwan Kulasekara was omitted from the 12. Thilan Thushara is quicker than Dammika Prasad, but if he was picked, it would leave Sri Lanka with an all-left-arm pace attack.

Given that Sri Lanka have played here far less in recent times than they have at venues like the SSC and Galle, the home-advantage factor won't be as pronounced. They should still start marginal favourites, but with India's vaunted middle order due a big innings or two, don't rule out a repeat of that remarkable come-from-behind victory against Australia [2001].

Comments

[CriketLover]

I hope the toss doesn't become ultra-critical. Although I am backing Tendulkar to come through, I have my eyes pinned on Dravid and Ganguly. I suspect one of them will fire for sure.

[Homer]

If the wicket has bounce ( and from all the reports I read thus far, it has), our batting will come good. And our bowlers will be all over Sri Lanka like a rash.

India to win in 4 days - there, i said it!

Cheers,