Questionable India's Mongia may not play against Sri Lanka Click here for more on this story Posted: Tuesday May 25, 1999 01:51 PM   Facing elimination against Sri Lanka, Mongia's fitness will decide India's altered composition. Allsport TAUNTON, England (AP) -- Nursing a hand injury, India's wicket keeper and pinch hitter Nayan Mongia may not play in Wednesday's grudge match against Sri Lanka which will eliminate one of them from the World Cup. Mongia's palm was injured during India's victory over Kenya which rekindled the 1993 titlist's chances of making the second round, Super Six stage of the 12-team championship. Rahul Dravid, who scored a century in that match, will keep wicket if Mongia is still not fit by Wednesday, and on Tuesday practiced with the gloves at the nets. "We will know only tomorrow morning," Azharuddin said, adding that Mongia's fitness will decide the team's altered composition. Teetering on elimination, the Indian team is veering toward adding another all rounder if Mongia is out rather than another specialist bowler. Anshuman Gaekwad, the Indian coach, said India has traditionally played three bowlers, with Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly filling in as medium pacers. He said the team will also not tinker with the batting order, keeping Sadagopan Ramesh as the opener with Tendulkar coming in No. 4. "But we are flexible," he added. Both teams have two losses and one victory so ar and must win their remaining two matches to advance to the Super Six round. "We knew it was going to be tough for us and we are under a lot of pressure. We scored well against Kenya but tomorrow is a big test," Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin told reporters on Tuesday. "The boys are looking forward to it. I have told them it is an important game and they should not be overawed by the situation," he said during a practice session at the nets. India starts as favorite given the form of starbatsman Sachin Tendulkar, who suffered a personal tragedy when his father died last week. Tendulkar flew back to Bombay for the funeral last Wednesday and missed the match that day against Zimbabwe, which India lost. He, however, returned for Kenya, where he scored an unbeaten 140 and India won by 94 runs. While India's form may be better than Sri Lanka's, history is on the side of the island nation. In four World Cup encounters, Sri Lanka has defeated India three times and the fourth match was rained out. The most bitter defeat for India was in the 1996 World Cup semifinal when Sri Lanka went on to win the trophy.   Related information Stories West Indies beat New Zealand by seven wickets Tendulkar, Dravid hit centuries as India beats Kenya India denies rumors that Azharuddin might quit Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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