All the Sri Lankan players — except Muralitharan and Chamara Kapugedera, who had other prior engagements — turned up for the optional nets session to sort out their batting problems. With the series lost, Sri Lanka will look to salvage some pride at the Premadasa Stadium, where they have slipped twice before. India are likely to use this match to test their bench strength and, in all probability, Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar are likely to be rested for RP Singh and Ojha, and Irfan may also come in as an all-rounder.

In a series where Ajantha Mendis has ceased to be a decisive factor after some sensible, attacking batting by the Indians, the visitors are also raring for a final go against him. Having written a piece of history, another Mendis conquest will provide this team the ultimate satisfaction.