Openers Jayasuriya, Sehwag in explosive duel

He is the second-highest scorer in one-day internationals with 12,688 runs, behind only India’s Sachin Tendulkar (16,361).
Like the Sri Lankan, the 29-year-old Sehwag is also capable of dominating any attack on any surface with rich strokeplay. The Indian has scored 5,810 runs in 191 matches with nine hundreds and 29 half-centuries.
“Whenever he (Sehwag) gives us a good start we have a fair chance of winning the match,” said Dhoni.“A good start is very important in any form of cricket, but it does not mean the entire pressure is on the openers. Sehwag is a sort of player who takes a fair amount of risk. He is a strokeplayer.“He is in a very good nick and so is Gautam Gambhir. They did well in the Tests also and will have added responsibility, but no pressure.”
Dhoni said it was important for his team to dismiss Jayasuriya early.“Jayasuriya can be compared with Sehwag or (retired Australian) Adam Gilchrist. It is important not to let them have a good start,” said Dhoni.
“They are the batsmen who take chances. They can commit mistakes if you try to restrict them. All these players are very different, but for someone like Jayasuriya, it’s important to get him out early.”
India and Sri Lanka will play five one-day internationals, with the first two to be held here and the remaining three in Colombo.