Dubai: India will move to second place behind Australia and ahead of South Africa in the One Day International rankings if they beat Sri Lanka in Saturday’s fifth and final ODI.
The encounter, at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, is a dead rubber after India wrapped up the series 3-1 on Tuesday.
But, along with the No 2 spot incentive, India will be keen to build some momentum ahead of the ICC World Twenty20s next month.
India have won six, drawn one and lost two of their nine ODI matches so far this year.
Saturday’s match will also be a case of deja-vu for the two teams, because their previous two bilateral one-day matches at this venue — in 2008 and 2009 — came with the series already won by India and Sri Lanka fighting for pride.
But on both occasions Sri Lanka won the dead rubber, and they will be keen to avoid a fourth successive ODI home loss.
But if they are to do this, they will have to find some form with the bat, with only Upul Tharanga, with two half-centuries to his name, worthy of note.
His opening partner, Tillakaratne Dilshan, has had a poor series, with a paltry 102 runs in four innings.
Sri Lanka need someone to score a big century, and quickly.
In contrast, India can count on the fabulous form of Virat Kohli, whose recent excellence with the bat means no total is safe.
India could use the dead rubber to give an opportunity to their only unused member of the squad, Ajinkya Rahane.
Rahane has not played an international since December 11, 2011 and could replace Virender Sehwag.
There is a also a chance that Zaheer Khan will sit out this match and that India will recall Umesh Yadav, who hasn’t played since the second ODI.
