What 4th ODI of the five-match series between India and Sri Lanka When November 13th, 2014 Where Eden Gardens, Kolkata The Teams India With a 3-0 reading against India’s name and the series in bag, India now would be looking to test their bench strength in the remainder of the two ODIs. There are some interesting changes made in the squad with the likes of Rohit Sharma and Robin Uthappa making it back to the squad. With MS Dhoni being ruled out for the rest of the series owing to an injured thumb, it would be Uthappa who would keep wickets in Dhoni’s absence. Captain Virat Kohli in his pre-match press conference confirmed the same in Kolkata. India have also rested Ishant Sharma owing to a stiff back, and drafted in Vinay Kumar. Dhawal Kulkarni, Umesh Yadav and Vinay Kumar would be India’s pacers in the fourth ODI if India are to play three pacers. Interestingly, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra too have been rested and Karn Sharma has been given an opportunity to prove his mettle. India would be looking to chop and change a few combinations like they have in the series till now and the playing eleven would make for an interesting read when Kohli declares his team at the toss on Thursday. He said he wanted to make winning a habit and be rest assured that the team will leave no stone unturned to be true to their captain’s words. Sri Lanka Much like India, Sri Lanka too have roped in a few changes in their squad with a view to test their fringe players ahead of the mega event - The World Cup. Pacer Dhammika Prasad, spinner Suraj Randiv, Upul Tharanga and Kumar Sangakkara make way for Shaminda Eranga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal and Ajantha Mendis. Interesting choices there with Sri Lanka having problems in the middle-order. Barring Mahela Jayawardene and captain Angelo Mathews, none of the Lankan batsmen have shown intent or resistance. It is a frail middle-order and Thirimanne and Chandimal who are coming off some good runs back home could well be an answer to Sri Lanka’s woes in the middle provided there are no changes in the batting order at the top. Meanwhile, Shaminda Eranga is also expected to add some firepower in the pace attack with Ajantha Mendis adding some experience in the spin department. If Eranga finds a place in the playing eleven, it would be his first appearance in an ODI since July 2013. Mahela Jayawardene in the pre-match press conference took the series of losses positively and in turn was of the view that it would help his side look at various combinations ahead of the World Cup. A win in the series wouldn’t do any harm either and they would only hope that along with the combinations a few fortunes turn in their favour as well. Key Players India Stand-in India captain Virat Kohli was happy to have Rohit Sharma back in the side as he addressed the media in Kolkata. He made it clear that Sharma would be batting at the top of the order and would want the opener to face as many deliveries as possible. Rohit Sharma made a fluent century in the warm-up game against the Sri Lankans last month. The selectors were certain that the batsman was fit and in form, reason enough for him to be selected for the rest of the two ODIs. Sharma will be making a return to the squad after a two-month injury layoff and he would be looking to put up some meaningful performances under his belt before the World Cup. Sri Lanka With Sri Lanka willing to test their bench strength, Dinesh Chandimal could make a cut in the playing eleven. In Kumar Sangakkara’s absence, he is expected to keep wickets and add some meat to the Lankan batting order. It is not that Chandimal is coming off a dry spell, infact the talented right-hander comes at the back of two half centuries against West Indies A back home recently. Chandimal has always been an exciting prospect for the future and would be looking to make the most of this opportunity at hand. Stat Overview 1. Average first innings score at Kolkata: Overall- 249 Since 2000 – 272 2. Average second innings score at Kolkata: Overall - 213 Since 2000 – 219 3. Result summary at Kolkata:

4. Head-to-head:

5. Last meeting between both sides at Kolkata: Brief scores: Dec 24, 2009 Sri Lanka 315-6 India 317-3. India won by 7 wickets 6. Form guide (most recent listed first): India: Won, Won, Won, Won, Won Sri Lanka: Lost, Lost, Lost, Won, Won 7. Pace vs Spin at Kolkata (Who has been more effective) (since 2000)

Trivia Eden Gardens has hosted 39 Tests and 27 ODIs. Both these figures are record for an Indian ground. Only twice has Mahela Jayawardene scored an ODI hundred and Sri Lanka went on to lose the match. Both these instances have come against India. The other came in 2011 World Cup final. The Squads India: Virat Kohli (captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, Axar Patel, Karn Sharma, R. Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Vinay Kumar, Kedar Jadhav. Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (captain), Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene, Ashan Priyanjan, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lahiru Gamage, Chaturanga de Silva, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Ajanta Mendis, Shaminda Eranga.