The islanders would be hoping that their flamboyant, veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya who joined the squad for the second part of the tour - and opener Tillakaratne Dilshan get going at the top of the order.
The Lankans are yet to decide if the 40-year-old Jayasuriya, who is aiming to make the World Cup his swansong, would open their innings. Skipper Kumar Sangakkara had said earlier that Jayasuriya would bat down the order if the situation demanded despite the fact that he has been a very successful opener against all oppositions.
"He has been very successful against India as an opener and against all oppositions too. But right now he has a different role to play for us in the side, which will make him currently a performing and match-winning player. Whether he will bat at the top or in the middle order, can be considered," he said.
"Our responsibility towards the team and towards Sanath is to make sure that when he plays he becomes a match-winner and get the best out of him. He's willing to make that change. It is an exciting time to play a new role," he said.
The tourists have brought in right-arm pacer Lasith Malinga, who missed the Test series because of an injury, to strengthen their pace attack.
But it's needless to say that Sanath Jayasuriya, Lasith Malinga and Dilhara Fernando will add muscle to the Lankan team. Sangakkara heaped praise on Jayasuriya. "He has handled the good attacks over the years and won us matches in high-pressure games and I hope to see the same from him," Sangakkara said. On Mahela Jayawardene, the skipper rated him among the five best T20 players in the world along with T Dilshan.
The visitors have also brought in all-rounders Chintaka Jayasinghe, Kaushalya Weeraratne and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara just for the two T20 matches.
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