The Indian pace attack would be in the safe custody of the seasoned Zaheer Khan and some of his other reliable colleagues.

Zaheer Khan, Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma and Rudra Pratap Singh have been given the responsibility to handle the new ball in Sri Lanka. Zaheer being the most experienced and Ishant being the latest sensational addition to the Indian attack.

The roles would be well defined and there would not be more than two pacers playing since the conditions would favour spinners. The favourites to start off would be Zaheer and Ishant. The latter could surprise the Lankans with the extra pace and awkward bounce that he can generate.

Ishant shot into prominence during the 2007-08 tour to Australia when his four over spell to the Aussie captain in Perth where he eventually got him out received praise from across the cricketing fraternity. In the hot and humid conditions in Sri Lanka, he would be expected to bowl short but fiery spells.

Zaheer, with his ability to move the ball both ways would be seen as the more sedate bowler who would be seen sharing the ball for longer spells and forming combinations with either of the spinners, apart from causing some damage with the new ball. Since his comeback a year ago he has been in good rhythm and has been some cause of concern for batting attacks but a comeback from injury is always difficult especially if it's made in conditions that are not favourable for seamers.

The other two bowlers R.P. Singh and Munaf Musa Patel have a very slim chance of making to the eleven especially since there is no match scheduled at the Rangiri Dambulla stadium which is the only wicket in the neighbouring island which supports seam bowling a bit.

R. P. Singh is not having a great time with the ball either and was seen being squandered around the park by Jayasuriya and company in the Asia Cup. Moreover he is a swing bowler who looks forward to the pitch and the conditions to suit his style of bowling and with conditions least expected to support him, he stands very little chance of playing in the longer format of the series.

Munaf Patel is a surprise pick because the way this bowler from Gujarat breaks down in the middle of the series almost every time he is on tour, selectors picking him and giving him another chance is somewhat strange. Patel had a great debut picking up seven for 97 against England at Mohali but since then he is in news more for the injuries he has picked up than for his performances on the field.

In fact an expert went to the extent of saying that selection of Munaf is alerting pacers like V.R.V. Singh because they might get a call since Munaf might get injured anytime.

All in all, the pace attack has been chosen keeping in mind the conditions prevailing in Sri Lanka. A quartet has been chosen so that fatigue does not take over any of these fast bowlers keeping in mind the hectic season ahead and an injury can be avoided at all costs so that it helps the team in the long run.