However prior to the one-off series in 2002 India v. Sri Lanka has meant a real borefest with mountains of runs scored on feather bed wickets.  One still shudders at the thought of nearly 1000 runs piled up in a Test innings by Sri Lanka in response to India’s supposedly monster score of just over 500 runs.  Never before or after can Anil Kumble have been so ineffective returning innings figures of  1 wicket for 223 runs in 72 overs of toil. 

This time though with balanced bowling sides strong in both pace and spin and good batting line-ups too, added to the prospect of witnessing a new and mysterious spin phenomenon named Ajantha Mendis, taking on masters of playing the spinning ball, the series is in theory a mouth watering prospect.  What is needed to make theory a reality are three essential ingredients.  First, the pitches need to be sporting ones, helping both batsmen and bowlers (pace or spin) if they put in the requisite effort.  Secondly, the weather needs to cooperate and not rob too many hours from the matches, though an occasional thunder shower or two would not be such a bad thing.  Finally, both captains need to be positive in outlook and out to win, ensuring aggressive (though not reckless or fool-hardy) cricket that seizes every opportunity to turn the tables on the other side. 

A fourth factor, the umpiring, is likely not to be a factor this time around.  The BCCI and the Sri Lankan cricket board have to be praised for having pioneered the use of referrals to the third umpire who will have the aid of all the modern gadgets and technology now available to the television viewing audience.  This should in theory, eliminate the glaring gaffes and perceived partiality that have marred Test matches in the past, even to the point of rendering results of some matches farcical, as was the case recently in the Second Test played between India and Australia in Sydney.

On top of that for those who are statistically minded there are plenty of potential milestones to watch for as Sachin Tendulkar aims to become the first man to score 12,000 Test runs and 40 Test centuries, both world records.  On the Sri Lankan side, the ageless Sanath Jayasuriya is  two wickets away from joining the all-rounders club of those who have taken 100 or more wickets and scored 1000 (in Jayasuriya’s case nearly 7000) runs.  One can also celebrate each wicket the little magician Muralitharan collects as he merrily mesmerizes his way to 735 Test wickets and beyond as he extends his own world record.  

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