Fit-again Dilshan set to return against India

Mirpur:

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

Talking to reporters after the Lankans crushed Bangladesh by nine wickets, Kuruppu said Dilshan has almost recovered from his 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 told reporters after Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by nine wickets.

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 an injury reinforcement, said his side was disappointed to lose the ODI series against India last month and he was 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 know each other inside out. I am looking forward to the match on Sunday," Jayawardene, who hit 108 batting as an opener in absence of Dilshan, said.