The rawness in the Lankan ranks has suddenly shifted from the middle order to the lower end of the line-up, with the bowlers failing to check the rampaging Indians. The lack of planning and lateral movement with the new ball is easy fodder for Virender Sehwag, and the storyline on Thursday will again hinge mainly around him.

And strangely, within this contest between two sides, there is a third-party interest. Sachin Tendulkar has been dignified so far, as have been the entire team, to the standard of umpiring seen in the series from Brian Jerling and Kumara Dharmasena, with India’s leading batsman being the victim on three occasions already.

There may be only two dead rubbers to follow, but not everything is done and dusted yet. A few milestones and some brownie points can still be a good recipe for some lip-smacking cricket.