Injury makes Azhar doubtful starter

The Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad, while speaking to The Indian Express tonight confirmed that the 36-year-old Azhar was suffering from a sore shoulder. 8220;He has a sore shoulder. We will have to assess the situation tomorrow morning. If it worsens then it would be a different situation altogether.8221;

If Azhar8217;s condition worsens then in all probability Anil Kumble is expected to lead the side.

The batting strength without the imposing presence of Tendulkar will be put to a severe test of character and composure when the home team face World Cup champions Sri Lanka tomorrow.

India thus would be looking up to Bengal stylist SauravGanguly to give a blistering start to the innings in the company of either fellow left-hander Sadagopan Ramesh, yet to play in a one-dayer, or seasoned Ajay Jadeja.

Gaekwad told reporters after net practice that choice for the second opener would be between newcomer Ramesh, confident after a rousing Test performance, and seasoned Jadeja, dropped after a poor run in New Zealand And aiming to make an impression before the World Cup team is finalised by April 4.

Gaekwad said left-handers Amay Khurasia and Gyanendra Pandey would be in the reserves for tomorrow8217;s clash at the Vidarbha Cricket Association StadiumRamesh has come into the series with a century and three half tons to his credit in seven Test innings while Jadeja was not considered for the two-Test series against Pakistan and the subsequent Asian Test Championship.

The match against Sri Lanka, who lost to Pakistan by nine runs in the opener at Jamshedpur, also provides a golden chance for flamboyant left-hander Vinod Kambli and all-rounder AjitAgarkar, both staging a comeback after leg injuries.

Kambli is expected to bat one-down and with the fight for one middle-order spot in the 15-man World Cup squad, to be announced on April 5, reportedly between him and Khurasia should keep the Mumbai bat on his toes.

Kambli injured his ankle in April last year while fielding against Zimbabwe at Cuttack in a triangular series.

Also returning from a lengthy layoff due to a stress fracture on his landing leg, speedster Agarkar would also be eager to have a go at the Sri Lankans.

Young Bengal all-rounder Laxmi Ratan Shukla looks set to make his debut for India, a distinction he missed out in the Asian Test Championship at Colombo last month when the team management in a last-minute change of mind provided Delhi left-arm seamer Ashish Nehra his first cap.

India are hoping that their batting plays to potential against a Lankan attack not exactly brimming with confidence and sorely missing injured off-spinner Muthiah Muralitharan.

Gaekwad said ifeverything went well in the first two matches of the series the hosts play Pakistan on March 24 at Jaipur then the others in the World Cup probables list may be tried out in the subsequent matches.

But he also made it clear there would be no more mixing up of openers in middle-order and vice-versa.

Sri Lanka, hit by injuries and lack of form in recent times, will be desperate to get their act together ahead of their World Cup title defence in May.

The Lankans are scheduled to arrive here only in the evening and have reportedly had nets this morning at Calcutta.

The World Cup holders are obviously missing the presence of explosive opener Sanath Jayasuriya, who is injured, but might be even more worried the way they lost at Jamshedpur from a seemingly winning position.

The Islanders may replace the flashy Avishka Gunawardena, who made only 19 against Pakistan, as opener and include left hander Russel Arnold to partner Marvan Atapattu.

The form of talented Mahela Jayawardene 8212; who notched up aTest double hundred at Colombo against India 8212; in the Jamshedpur tie should be pleasing. However, the classy Aravinda de Silva is the man they are dependent on to prop up the middle order with skipper Arjuna Ranatunga short on runs.

Left-arm paceman Chaminda Vaas proved expensive against the rampaging Pakistan openers Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi though his new-ball partner Pramodaya Wickramasinghe made up with a splendid second spell to bowl Sri Lanka back into contention in the opening match.

The Teams

India from: Mohd Azharuddin capt, Saurav Ganguly, Sadagopan Ramesh, Ajay Jadeja, Vinod Kambli, Rahul Dravid, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Nayan Mongia, Anil Kumble, Ajit Agarkar, Javagal Srinath and Nikhil Chopra.

Sri Lanka from: Arjuna Ranatunga capt, Aravinda de Silva, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Avishka Gunawardene, Russel Arnold, Hashan Tillekeretne, Chandika Hathurasinghe, Prasanna Jayawardene, Eric Upashantha, Chaminda Vaas, Ruwan Kalpage, Hemantha Boteju, PramodayaWickramasinghe and Upul Chandana.

Umpires: KS Giridharan and VM Gupte.

Third Umpire: S Banerjee.

Hours of play: 0900 to 1230 hours, 1315 to 1645 hours.

Match Referee: Cammie Smith West Indies

Gaekwad foxed by a slower one

Anshuman Gaekwad was for a moment nonplussed by a query by a reporter here whether injured master batsman Sachin Tendulkar would play in the last two league matches of the limited overs triangular series which is in progress. Gaekwad, in his inimitable style, answered, 8220;if he is fit and wants to play, he is welcome. Why not?8221;Tendulkar has already been ruled out for the entire series after being advised two-weeks8217; rest by London specialist Dr Ken Kennedy because of injuries to his lower back joints.