With the Indian and Sri Lankan cricket teams for the icc cricket world cup west
indies 2007 announced, the third one day international between the two
countries here Wednesday will be little more than a rehearsal for next month's
mega cricket tournament. 
Sri Lanka has taken a 1-0 lead with its five-run win
over India in Rajkot. The first match in Kolkata of the four-match series
was abandoned due to rains.
Now, the two teams are expected to either rest their tired
players or play their preferred XIs in order to provide them as much match practice
as possible before the icc cricket world cup 2007 starts March 11 in the West
Indies.
The Indian cricket team batted well in Sunday's match
but failed to 'finish' off the match - an aspect that has cost them dear several
times in the past, and which skipper Rahul Dravid pointed to after the
icc cricket world cup west indies 2007 team selection in Mumbai Monday.
He said he would like to see players finishing off matches.
From the point of view of the Indian fans, however, there will
still remain a major interest in Wednesday's match: Virender Sehwag.
The swashbuckling batsman, who closely survived the axe for
the icc cricket world cup west indies 2007, has not been in form for some time
now. He will be keen to score some runs before the 16-nation tournament gets
started and get rid of the mounting pressure.
Sehwag looked good while scoring 19 in Rajkot, before edging a late cut into
the wicket keeper's gloves.
The Delhi batsman remains the only player in the Indian team
who is yet to hit top form. Even lanky fast bowler Munaf Patel, who had question
marks regarding his fitness, came back into wicket-taking mode in Rajkot.
Sri Lanka also announced their icc cricket world cup west indies
2007 team Monday, recalling legendary off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan
and left-arm pacer Chaminda Vaas, who were rested for the India tour.
The selectors also recalled middle order batsmen Russel Arnold
and Chamara Silva while Nuwan Kalusekara, now in India, was picked as the fifth
pacer.
Sri Lanka has left out Upul Chandana and Nuwan Zoysa, who are
touring India, so there is little chance of them playing the final two matches
in India.
Teams for the third ODI:
India: Rahul Dravid (captain), Sachin Tendulkar (vice-captain),
Robin Uthappa, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Dinesh
Kartik (wicket-keepers), Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar, Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel,
Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (captain), Kumar Sangakkara
(wicket-keeper), Sanath Jayasuriya, Upul Tharanga, Marvan Atapattu, Russel Arnold,
Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chamara Silva, Malinga Bandara, Upul Chandana, Farveez
Maharoof, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Zoysa, Dilhara Fernando and Nuwan Kulasekara
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