Crucial tie tomorrow ..

India and Sri Lanka have some added motivation heading into their Commonwealth Bank series clash on Tuesday in Brisbane with top spot on the table up for grabs - albeit two matches into the competition.

The Indians started off the Commonwealth Bank series in less than convincing fashion during Sunday's washed out opener against Australia and will need to lift their output when they come up against their southern island neighbour.

India only managed to be bowled out for 194 from 45 overs and, despite having the hosts 3-51 before Mother Nature intervened, they know sub-200 scores in the modern era are tantamount to inexcusable.

The match at the Gabba will end almost four months of one-day international dormancy for Sri Lanka whose last foray in the limited overs version of the game resulted in a 4-1 series victory over England at home in October.

The Sri Lankans have lost five of their past six matches against India and will be looking at the encounter as a golden opportunity to get one over their out-of-sorts sub-continental rivals who are fresh from losing back-to-back home series against Australia and Pakistan late last year.

And Sri Lanka isn't about to make life easy for its northern neighbour with the likes of Muttiah Muralidaran, Kumar Sangakkara, Chaminda Vaas, Mahela Jayawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya and Lasith Malinga all sure to be selected.

Despite the Sri Lankans' considerable firepower, India has its share of playmakers capable of getting the job done too.

However, if the Indians are to arrest their recent ordinary form in the abbreviated version of the game, a solid opening partnership is critical and Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar will be called on to provide just that on Tuesday.

One man that India desperately needs back in the side is Yuvraj Singh and if he happens to overcome a shoulder injury in time, his inclusion would almost automatically ensure his country heads into the clash as favourite.

As much as batting will be a focus in this encounter, with the likelihood of in-form duo Chamara Silva and Tillekeratne Dilshan also set to take their place in the Sri Lankan top order, both countries' bowling attacks will ensure plenty of entertainment as well.

Sri Lankan world class veterans Muralidaran and Vaas will be joined by Malinga while Indian budding superstars Irfan Pathan and Shanth Sreesanth will team up with Harbhajan Singh to make life difficult for the batsmen.

Like the first Commonwealth Bank series match, this clash is threatened by bad weather, but if the rainclouds permit a result, don't be surprised if Sri Lanka manages to take maximum points in what is sure to be a nail-biting encounter.