We have to regroup and come back strong: Lanka manager

The Sri Lanka team arrived in Mumbai on Saturday and will start their preparations for the final cricket Test against India from Monday after taking an off on Sunday. The third Test will begin from December 2 at the Brabourne Stadium.

"We have just landed in Mumbai. We are taking a day off tomorrow and then will start practising from Monday morning. We have to regroup and come back strong in the third Test," team manager Brendon Kuruppu said.

"All the players are fit and there are no injury concerns," Kuruppu added.

Lanka, who dominated the high scoring drawn first Test, slumped to a massive innings and 144-run defeat in the second match of the best-of-three rubber yesterday at Kanpur to trail India 0-1.

The Indian squad is also scheduled to practice at the Cricket Club of India on Monday.

Lukewarm response

Test cricket is returning to Brabourne Stadium after more than three and a half decades and India are 1-0 up going into the final game of the three-match series against Sri Lanka on December 2, but public response for the tie has been lukewarm.

According to sources in the Mumbai Cricket Association, there are very few takers for the tickets for the match with most clubs and gymkhanas affiliated to the MCA showing little interest in picking up their quota. Around 330-odd clubs/gymkhanas are affiliated to the MCA.

A very small banner announcing the season ticket rates for the Test was found above the ticket counters at the premises of the Mumbai Hockey Association who are neighbours of the MCA situated within the confines of the Wankhede Stadium complex that's undergoing renovation.

The rates for the Test are fixed at Rs 1000, Rs 750 and Rs 200 for watching it for five days.

Current indications are that the final Test in Mumbai, that starts on Wednesday and ends on Sunday, would also not attract a sizeable crowd, let alone a full house.

This would be in total contrast to the jam-packed arenas witnessed during the preceding seven-match ODI series between India and Australia.