Indians likely to be at full strength
The preview of the warm-up tour game between Sri Lanka Board's XI and India, Colombo
Match facts
Friday July 18 - Sunday July 20, 2008Start time 10.30am (05.00GMT)
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Big Picture
After three hectic months of Twenty20 and one-dayers, this is India's only warm-up game before the Tests against Sri Lanka. It is also the only chance for several of India's players who have had an enforced break from cricket - Sachin Tendulkar (groin injury), Zaheer Khan (ankle injury), Harbhajan Singh (disciplinary ban), and VVS Laxman (fractured wrist) - to get some match practice under their belts. That means India might want to opt for the same XI they have in mind for next week's Test.One to watch
Nearly twenty years on the international circuit have taken their toll on Sachin Tendulkar, and he has been struggling with a groin injury for the past few months. The only cricket he has played after the Indian Premier League is a few leisurely games with Lashings. This match will give a better indication of whether he's fit enough to return to the rigours of Test cricket next week. He's within touching distance of Brian Lara's record Test aggregate and will want to use this game to get into the groove.Team news
Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag get a chance on this tour to translate their opening form in the limited-overs versions of the game to Tests. The experienced middle-order picks itself while the absence of Mahendra Singh Dhoni leaves Dinesh Karthik and Parthiv Patel vying for the wicketkeeper's spot. Zaheer Khan will reclaim his place as the pace spearhead with Ishant Sharma likely to be his sidekick. India's spin threat will come from the old firm of Kumble and Harbhajan.Quotes
Anil Kumble talks up his bowling attack