Murali not worried about form or record

Muttiah Muralitharan is keeping everybody waiting. He began the series against India needing three wickets to overtake Wasim Akram and become the highest wicket-taker in ODIs. Two matches later, he's still two wickets away, having taken only 1 for 84 in 20 overs in the first two ODIs.

Murali, however, is not thinking about breaking the record. "Honestly I am not thinking of taking those two wickets much," he told the Island. "The important thing is to win this game. I am going to keep playing and the record will come someday. I am pretty happy with my form. Maybe they [the Indian batsmen] are not taking too many risks against me."

Sri Lanka's batsmen have failed to fire collectively in the series. Sanath Jayasuriya scored 107 in the first game, and Thilina Kandamby made a valiant unbeaten 93 in the second, but both did not get much support from the others. "We are not playing well," Murali said. "Our batting has been a huge concern for us.

"But having said that these guys are quality players and they have proved themselves over the years. We had a few players retiring and those slots have been filled by some new ones and we have shifted some places. So these things can happen."

Sri Lanka need to win the remaining three matches, after conceding a 2-0 lead to India, to take the series and Murali urged his team-mates to play with their natural flair. "The main thing is that we need to think that this is just another game," he said. "You shouldn't be putting any undue pressure. When you start thinking of what's at stake you tend to get into a negative mindset. What's important is to be positive and play our natural game."

Sri Lanka are fighting to avoid a third consecutive ODI-series defeat at home, after going down 3-2 to both India and England. Murali, however, was confident of a turnaround. "We didn't lose badly. The score line says we lost 3-2, both against England and India. We will improve and get back to our winning ways. Don't forget that India is one of the best sides in the world right now in all three forms of the game."