Uphill task down South !!

India has come back empty handed many a time from its island neighbours - Srilanka (SL). Talking of SL, it looks like a blessing in disguise that Atappattu went down and Jayawardene grabbed the chance with both hands. The change in fortune has been so steep that from the 1-6 blanking they received from India earlier in the season and after a not so inspring start in the test series against Eng, SL came back to level the tests and take the ODI 5-0. The achievements are really praise worthy considering the margin of victory in these Natwest ODIs.
Jayasurya, India's old tormentor is back and Tharanga has improved by leaps and bounds. There is always Sanga and Jaya to follow and of course in the slow pitches in the swamp @ Premadasa, SL are masters in winning. Their spinners will strangle our batsmen and Jaya is getting innovative in field placing too. Murali will be a threat always and so is the much improved but unpredictable Malinga. I hear that there is a move to send Viru @ 4 to take care of Murali. I hardly ever remember Viru getting on the top of Murali and infact a few times in the past, he was simply caught at the boundary off him. This move will bring down the opening overs momentum since I don't expect SRT to hit at 110 S/R from day 1.
I expect that India will have a tough time in conquering SL; they might beat the depleted and walking wound SA but SL will be a different ball game. My prediction - Dravid will come back empty (again) !!
BTW..is anyone reading this blog? I am going to change the settings that will allow 'anonymous' comments. Please do take a moment to add yours.