There seemed to be some hope for the India v Sri Lanka tie at the beginning of the tour. They had not had a bilateral series for two years before this series. In the Asia Cup and World T20 matches this year, Sri Lanka had appeared to loosen the grip India had recently imposed on them. Going by the previous six months' form, the teams even appeared to be evenly matched.

Though there has been entertainment from India, two weeks on, this series has been the most bloodless, one-sided meeting of the sides in recent years. The India v Sri Lanka genre has officially reached a new nadir. That is not a sentence that ever needed to be written.

The final match shapes as a rubber that seems so dead, even Frankenstein could not reanimate it. Having not dominated India at any stage during the four ODIs so far, Sri Lanka now aim to pull off a victory three days after their most dispiriting defeat. Worse, they have been further depleted by the exit of Kumar Sangakkara and Dhammika Prasad mid-series. Sri Lanka's cricket has been combative in recent years, but avoiding 5-0 here will require one of their best-ever comebacks. Apart from Angelo Mathews and Mahela Jayawardene, no other Sri Lanka player has played at near his best in India.

The hosts have already spoken repeatedly of their desire to be ruthless, and they will not only aim to defeat Sri Lanka in Ranchi, they will want to crush them once again. Though the conditions in Australia and New Zealand will be very different, the series has already affirmed India's World Cup preparation, and has shed light on a younger group that has strongly suggested it can make it at the international level. Beyond the top order, which has been so good that a Virat Kohli hundred or an MS Dhoni finish has not been missed, India will look with pleasure at the pace-battery that has begun to develop.

In the spotlight

After a wayward outing first up in the series, Dhawal Kulkarni returned strongly in the fourth ODI, claiming 4 for 34, including two big scalps in one Powerplay over. He is light on pace, and does not get the bounce that other India seamers generate, which lower his chances of playing in the upcoming southern-hemisphere summer, but another rich haul might make the selectors think twice.

Lahiru Thirimanne arrived at the crease when the match was already a foregone conclusion on Thursday, but he made the best of a poor situation, and struck a 69-ball 59 to ease himself back into the national side. Thirimanne has already tasted success in Australia, in both Tests and ODIs, and he will hope to continue his good run in this match, and the England series to follow, in order to shore up his place in the squad. If the selectors feel Kusal Perera has had enough chances, Thirimanne may also be a candidate to open, in the near future.

Teams news

India have said Suresh Raina will be rested for the final match, which might allow Kedhar Jadav to claim a place in the XI. Sri Lanka took a liking to legspinner Karn Sharma in Kolkata as well, so India may consider bringing back R Ashwin in his place.

As woeful as they were in the last match, there are few plausible changes Sri Lanka can make. Ajantha Mendis may move out of the XI, in order for Chaturanga de Silva to re-enter it.

Pitch and conditions

In two ODIs, Ranchi has not yet been the site of a 300-plus score, but the theme of the series has been flat pitches, even on grounds that have traditionally offered something to the bowlers. The weather is expected to remain good for the match, though dew will once again be a concern.
(Cricinfo)