For India the 4th ODI at the Eden Gardens will be about maintaining that winning run, and for Sri Lanka it will be about actually putting in a game worth mentioning over the 100 overs. With the series signed, sealed and delivered to India in emphatic fashion, the remaining two one-dayers are about one team looking to make that top position in the ODI table their own and the other looking for some semblance of form and desire to actually fashion a win.
Virat Kohli has enjoyed a breezy Sunday morning-like time captaining India in the first three one-day internationals, wherein the batsman have done their jobs and the bowlers have performed exceedingly well as well, which has in turn put India in control of finishing top of that ODI table. If India win the series 4-1, they will stay the best ODI team in terms of rankings, with a whitewash giving them a formidable two-point lead over second-placed South Africa, who start their own high-profile ODI series against Australia on Friday.
Now it will be about showing that ruthlessness that Kohli has talked about quite a few times already. "It's not difficult to motivate anyone," Kohli said. "Our motive at the beginning was to be ruthless and try to win every game.
"Especially knowing that the World Cup is around, we want to create good habits, can't afford to be complacent at any point of time. It's going to be the same kind of effort and intensity from everyone on the field.
"That's something we are looking to create as a culture for the team going into big tournaments in the future."
India will head into this 4th ODI in Kolkata and the last one on Sunday with a rejigged side, and it will be up to the fresh faces that have arrived to keep that wonderful winning momentum going.
Sri Lanka have also brought in a few new players, and Angelo Mathews will hope it helps his team to turnaround their fortunes a little bit, even if they have already lost the series after their big loss to India in Hyderabad.
"We've been very consistent home and away this year but unfortunately we didn't hit the stride as soon as we came here," said Mahela Jayawardene, who admitted openly that he would prefer to open the innings for Sri Lanka. "But you always try to look at things in a positive way.
"We were able to try a few options before the World Cup and give a few guys opportunities and see if they are up for the big occasion. I think all in all even though it's a disappointing tour, we've learnt quite a bit."
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The match is scheduled to begin at 1.30 pm IST (8 am GMT, 4 am ET) with live coverage in India on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 3 [in Hindi] and Star Sports HD1. The 1st ODI between India and Sri Lanka can also be watched via free live streaming online by viewers in India on Starsports.com. You can also use the LivePro Option to access the in-game feature via a live stream on Starsports online.
Viewers in the UK can catch all the action on Sky Sports 2 or by choosing a live stream online on Sky Go or Watch Sky Sports Online. US viewers can catch the game on Willow TV or Willow TV Online, while Middle East and North Africa viewers can watch the match onOSN or OSN Play.
Team news: India: Rohit Sharma has made a return from injury to the India squad and will definitely play the last couple of games. "It's great to have Rohit back, because a player like him, if he gets going, he can be the X-factor in the World Cup," said Kohli. "He can win games for you and get those big runs. We know how lethal he is at the end of the innings. His value to the team is massive."
Kohli also revealed Rohit would open the batting for India alongside Ajinkya Rahane, which works out quite well since Shikhar Dhawan, the top scorer in the series, has been rested for the final two matches. Robin Uthappa will also get a couple of games to make his case for the World Cup, after the Karnataka batsman was roped in as the wicketkeeper – something he has never quite done in international cricket – for the rest of the series.
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara has gone back home for the Lankans, but the inclusion of Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne should give Sri Lanka a little more experience in the batting order.
Expected lineups: India: Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli (capt), Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa, Stuart Binny, Akshar Patel, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Dhawal Kulkarni.
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Dinesh Chandimal, Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Seekkuge Prasanna, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Shaminda Eranga.
