Sri Lanka v India 5th ODI, Colombo, Feb 08 - Preview

Colombo: The top of the Rankings is so tight that another India win on Sunday could close the gap on South Africa to just two points, while New Zealand, in fourth, could close to within three points of South Africa with three more wins over Australia.

Having achieved their best-ever ODI ranking by displacing world champions Australia as the number two team, a confident India would be eyeing a series whitewash when they take on Sri Lanka in the final cricket one-dayer here on Sunday.

It has already turned out to be a dream series for Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who made it to the record books by becoming the first Indian captain to win nine ODIs on the trot and the flamboyant wicket-keeper batsman would like to keep the winning momentum going in the last game.

The other thing which will be in Dhoni's mind when he takes the field is that every win from here on will bring his side one step closer to the world number one position, which is being currently occupied by South Africa (125) with a lead of just three points.

And coach Gary Kirsten had no hesitation in admitting that his main aim this year is to take India to the top position. Gary Kirsten has said that India's goal in 2009 is to be the No. 1 team in the world. India's coach, who has received praise from many in the Indian team, felt the side's biggest improvement in recent times was the way they prepared for a game.

The Indians have been phenomenal in all departments of the game in the series as compared to the hosts who were rather disappointing.

While Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag provide aggression at the top of the order, the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yousuf Pathan and Dhoni have been rock steady at the middle. The bowlers, on the other hand, have been disciplined all through the series. Interestingly, the most heartening thing to see was the success of young spinner Pragyan Ojha and part-time bowlers in Yuvraj, Raina, Sehwag and Yousuf.

Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma and Praveen Kumar have been outstanding upfront. Irfan Pathan, who made a comeback in the last match, too joined the party, picking up three wickets.

Today's was an optional nets session at the R Premadasa, and the attendees included Sachin Tendulkar, L Balaji, Irfan Pathan and Ravindra Jadeja.

Venkatesh Prasad, India's bowling coach, spent lots of time with Irfan, primarily working on his length. Tendulkar even bowled to Jadeja and passed some tips now and then to the young allrounder.

India have won the series and the final match is to be played at the R Premadasa as well.

Highlights of the match