India Srilanka Cricket

India is nearing the series win, where as Srilanka needs this match to win to avoid series loss.

It is a must-win tie after the home team lost the first two games of the five-match series but Jayawardene said his side were capable of raising their performance.

"We have been in this situation before. You don't have to tell the boys (to raise performance) because they understand the situation. They understand the mistakes they had made," Jayawardene told reporters on Monday.

"We have to be a bit more consistent with our all-round game. That's one area we have to focus on, especially when you are playing against a good team. You can't keep making mistakes."

The Sri Lankan captain said his team needed to put more pressure on in-form India who had won their last seven one-dayers, including five against England at home last year.

"Their confidence is pretty high because they have been consistent in the last six months. That's something probably where we lack. If we put more pressure on them, I think we can ask them a few questions," he said.

"We know that if we lose this match, we lose the series. The next three games are very crucial for us."

Jayawardene hoped his openers would give a solid start, especially Tillakaratne Dilshan who had managed just eight runs in two matches.

"Both the openers (Sanath Jayasuriya and Dilshan) are capable of batting according to the situation," he said.

"Dilshan went for a few shots which did not come off, but at the same time he can bat for a long period and can get a big hundred which he showed in Pakistan. We know the talent they have got."

Dilshan smashed a career-best 137 not out in Lahore last month to help his side win a three-match series.

India coach Gary Kirsten said his team were keen to clinch the series with a victory on Tuesday.

"Yes, it would be nice if we could finish off the series as quickly as possible," said Kirsten.

"We know we have a lot of work to do but the momentum is with us at the moment. We just have to focus on what we have been doing and give us the best chance of winning the next match."

India made one change to their 15-man squad, with paceman Lakshmipathy Balaji replacing injured Munaf Patel.

Balaji, who played his last one-dayer in August 2005, has taken 34 wickets in 29 matches.

So wait for the day.