Muralitharan's farewell to assume centre-stage in the first Test

The occasion bristles with possibilities. Test cricket's most successful bowler will match his craft and mind with the batsmen for one last time.

Off-spinning giant Muttiah Muralitharan will bid adieu to the five-day game after the first Test of the three-match series, beginning here on Sunday. Murali's farewell overshadows just about everything else in the contest.

And the man with big, bold eyes, dexterous wrists, supple fingers and the heart of a lion is only eight short of becoming the first bowler to reach what would be a phenomenal 800 wickets in Test cricket.

He might be in the last stretch of a glittering journey of miles and milestones; however, it would be hard to bet against Muralitharan. The 38-year-old Sri Lankan still loves the sniff of a duel; even after 132 Tests.

The backdrop at a wind-swept venue elevates what would be a historic match; the ground is flanked by the timeless Galle fort and the Indian Ocean.

It is an inspirational setting for a spirit-lifting performer who has battled great odds during his long and illustrious career; from overcoming a deformity in his bowling arm to being branded a chucker.

Significantly, Muralitharan never lost belief. His flight, dip and turn will assume centre-stage once more; this time against the top-ranked side in Tests. Very few spinners control the extent of turn or harness the angles as effectively as Muralitharan does. And very few comprehend the dynamics of bowling vis a vis field placements better. And not many spinners are as deceptive as Muralitharan is; he out-thinks the batsmen, lures them to doom.

But then, inclement weather could spoil the party. Galle, a venue of great triumphs for Muralitharan and Sri Lanka in the past, is threatened by rain. Clouds ruled the skies during the afternoon and the evening here on

Saturday and there were a few sharp spells of rain. This also suggests there could be a fair amount of moisture on the surface - there was a thin layer of grass on the pitch on Saturday - and the rival captains could face tough options if the toss is won.

Batting first could be the right option since the surface is expected to increasingly assist spin as the match progresses but then the pace-men could make serious inroads early on.

Significantly, fiery slinger Lasith Malinga, a famous son of Galle, returns to Test cricket after more than two years. Malinga's home here was destroyed by the Tsunami. He has fought back much like this brave town steeped in history. India has a fitness concern with the in-form Yuvraj Singh grappling with a stiff neck. The punishing left-hander is expected to be fit though.

Despite a below par showing in the tour game - India's chief tormentor Ajantha Mendis has not been picked for the first Test – the side has strength and experience in batting. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid & Co. will be keen to settle scores after India's batting debacle here in 2008. The Sri Lankans will be particularly wary of Virender Sehwag's bludgeoning blade.

Apart from Malinga's pace and swing, much of the Sri Lankan hopes will hinge how on how effectively Muralitharan combines with Rangana Herath, a competent left-arm spinner with subtle variations.

The Indian attack has been ravaged by injuries to key pace-men. Can the lanky Ishant Sharma - seeking form and rhythm himself - carry the pace attack on his shoulders? It will be a toss up between Munaf Patel and Abhimanyu Mithun for the second paceman's job. Munaf has greater experience while Mithun brings with him the exuberance and zest of youth.

Senior off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has the demanding task of leading the Indian bowling against a formidable line-up that includes skipper Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillekeratne Dilshan and Thilan Samaweera. Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha is expected to team up with Harbhajan.

The aggressive Dilshan is likely to be given the job of denting the Indian new ball attack psychologically.

And then Muralitharan, three short of 100 wickets against India in Tests, will seek to bowl Sri Lanka to victory.

The teams:

India (from): M.S. Dhoni (captain), V. Sehwag, G. Gambhir, R. Dravid, S. Tendulkar, V.V.S. Laxman, Y. Singh, H. Singh, P. Ojha, I. Sharma, M. Patel, A. Mithun, S. Raina, M. Vijay, A. Mishra, W.

Saha.

Sri Lanka (from): K. Sangakkara (captain), T. Dilshan, T. Paranavitana, M. Jayawardene, T. Samaraweera, A. Matthews, P. Jayawardene, R. Herath, M. Muralitharan, L. Malinga, C. Welegedera, D. Fernando, T. Kandamby, D. Prasad, S. Randiv, L. Thirimanne.