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Vaas back for Lanka, 'Azhar' out for India

PUNE, March 30. - Opening bowler Chaminda Vaas will return to the Sri Lankan team for their crucial Pepsi Tri Series second round game against India at the Nehru Stadium, here tomorrow.

Vaas did not play in the previous game against Pakistan at Jaipur due to an injury. In addition Hemantha Boteju has been dropped for this game and is likely to be replaced by Chandika Hathurusinghe.

Skipper Arjuna Ranatunga said that the wicket at the Nehru Stadium is a good batting track and the toss would play a vital role in the final outcome. Former Indian test player Chandu Borde who is the curator at the Nehru Stadium said that a total of around 275 runs would be quite sufficient for a side batting first.

Meanwhile Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin has pulled out from the side due to a shoulder injury and the team will be captained by Ajay Jadeja. All rounder Harishikesh Kanitkar will replace Azaharuddin for the remaining two games against Sri Lanka and Pakistan at Mohali on Thursday.

India are already without their star player Sachin Tendulkar and need to win this game if they are to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the final scheduled for April 4.

The teams

Sri Lanka: Arjuna Ranatunga (captain), Avishka Gunawardena, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardena, Aravinda de Silva, Hashan Tillekeratne, Upul Chandana, Ruwan Kalpage, Chandika Hathurusinghe, Chaminda Vaas, Promodaya Wickremasinghe.

India: Ajay Jadeja (captain), Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Vinod Kambli, Nayan Mongia, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Nikhil Chopra, Ajith Agarkar, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Harishikesh Kanitkar