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Dilshan set to play against India on Sunday

January 09, 2010 10:03 IST

In-form Sri Lanka opener Tillakaratne Dilshan almost certain to play Sunday's final league match against India, Sri Lankan team manager Brendon Kuruppu said.

Talking to reporters after the Lankans crushed Bangladesh by nine wickets on Friday night, Kuruppu said Dilshan has almost recovered from the groin injury and is set to play on Sunday.

"We could have even considered him playing today (against Bangladesh) but we held him back. He has a very good chance of playing against India," Kuruppu said.

Dilshan, who had a hugely successful 2009 in all formats of the game, suffered a groin strain during his match-winning knock of 104 in the tournament opener against Bangladesh on January 4.

Addressing the post-match media conference, senior batsman Mahela Jayawardene, who was drafted into the team as injury reinforcement, said his side was disappointed to lose the ODI series against India last month and looking ahead to Sunday's match.

"We were disappointed to lose the ODI series, as we played very good cricket there. Both the teams have played a lot recently and probably both knew each other inside out. I am looking forward to the match on Sunday," Jayawardene, who hit 108 on Friday batting as an opener in absence of Dilshan, said.

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