Having picked up just five points at Calcutta, the Indians have an onerous task of having to beat Sri Lanka at home. Pakistan are comfortably perched at the top with 17 points.

If anything, the game will be without some star performers from both sides. Eden Gardens hero Javagal Srinath has been `rested' because of pain in his shin, while the Lankans will be without master-blaster Sanath Jayasuriya and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

But the Lankans are always formidable at home. Anything less than a victory would see India poised precariously near the precipice till the outcome of the Sri Lanka-Pakistan match at Lahore, next month.

In Calcutta, India were undone by the sheer pace of ShoaibAkthar and lack of discipline among the batsmen. Obvisiously, India's batting is now under a microscope what with repeated failures under pressure. The much-hyped batting line-up failed to build on a foundation laid by the bowlers.The out-of-form Mohammad Azharuddin, whose pride and captaincy is at stake, will tonight do some tough talking to his batsmen, directing a fair bit at himself.

Azhar is also having a nightmare in the field. A super fielder, he has grassed some simple chances in the last few matches, notably the one from Saeed Anwar at Calcutta that proved costly. Anwar went on to make a big hundred while carrying his bat through.

But the question is whether the Indians have the mental toughness, especially in the home stretch ? Though several of the batsmen have produced decent scores at infrequent intervals in the recent past, there have been painfully few tall scores and no match-winning innings. On the plus side, India can take heart from their new left-right opening pair of Sadagoppan Rameshand VVS Laxman who have shown signs of settling down as an effective combination.

Ramesh, with a string of half-centuries, has settled in nicely while Laxman's delightful knock of 67 at Calcutta should put him in a more relaxed frame of mind.

Now, it's the mainstays -- Tendulkar, Azhar, Dravid and Ganguly -- who must deliver the goods for India to pose a challenge for the Lankans. A long innings is overdue from all of them.

The bowlers have done an outstanding job so far. However, Srinath's non-availability means Venkatesh Prasad and Anil Kumble would have to carry extra load. India may also have two debutant medium-pacers -- Laxmi Ratan Shukla and left-arm Ashish Nehra -- operating. This was indicated by coach Anshuman Gaekwad after the practice session here today evening. ``Shukla will automatically come in place of Srinath. But if there is some grass left in the morning, then Nehra may also play,'' said Gaekwad, hinting that off-spinner Harbhajan Singh will then sit out.

Asked about the battingfailure, especially in the last innings at Calcutta, Gaekwad said the batsmen were lacking in concentration. ``There is some sort of complacency. Each player thinks the other man will do the job. We are trying to sort this out,'' said Gaekwad.

Meanwhile, the Lankans are passing through turbulent times once again. Without cool-headed Roshan Mahanama, who has been omitted due to poor form, the middle-order misses another experienced campaigner.

Sri Lankan skipper Arjuna Ranatunga said the match was more or less like a semifinal tie. ``If we win, we are through to the final.''

He agreed the team will miss off-spinner Muralitharan and Jayasuriya, particularly the former, who is the main wicket-taker. ``Murali cannot be replaced. But then, India does not have Srinath.''

According to Ranatunga, in the absence of Srinath, Sri Lanka will have the advantage.

Ranatunga endorsed the concept of Asian championship, saying it was good for cricket in the region.

Old fox and skipper Arjna Ranatunga is a greatmotivator. He brings the best out from his boys. Fortunately, he still has run-machine Aravinda De Silva, who is back in the side after a lay off.

He and the steady Marvan Atapattu have to guide youngsters like Avishka Gunawardena and Mahela Jayawardena. The last-named showed much promise in the World series Down Under.

Though their batsmen may bail them out from a tight spot, the bowling department is the main concern. Without the main wicket-taker Muralitharan, Lankans are virtually rudderless. It is here left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas has to come into picture. The others at best may be steady but not deadly.Teams (from):

India: M Azharuddin (capt), VVS Laxman, S Ramesh, R Dravid, S Tendulkar, S Ganguly, N Mongia, A Kumble, V Prasad, LR Shukla, A Nehra, H Singh, S Joshi and H Kanitkar.

Sri Lanka: A Ranatunga (capt), Russel Arnold, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardena, Aravinda de Silva, Hashan Tillekeratne, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Chandika Hathurusingha, Chaminda Vaas, Ruchira Perera, NiroshanBandaratilake, Erik Upashantha.