India have abandoned plans to draft in a replacement for injured batsman V V S Laxman for their must-win Asia Cup game against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Tuesday.

Laxman missed India's loss to Pakistan on Sunday because of a badly bruised knee and is very doubtful for the Sri Lanka game. His absence would force India to play six rather than seven specialist batsmen.

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Skipper Sourav Ganguly announced on Sunday that a replacement had already been requested but there was a re-think after it became clear that India would only be able to call up a second-string replacement.

"We have not asked for a replacement because the A team is in Zimbabwe and it is off-season in India at the moment," Ganguly told reporters after the team's training session on Monday.

India also want to give Laxman a chance to recover, in case they can beat Sri Lanka and thereby qualify for the final on August 1, because the rules demand that Laxman be sent home if a replacement is called.

"The rules are pretty tough when you play so much cricket but that is the way it is and whatever side we pick we will have to deliver," Ganguly added.

Left-armer Zaheer Khan is available for selection having recovered from a hamstring injury.

POSITIVE GANGULY

India will qualify for the final if they beat Sri Lanka, who remain unbeaten in the tournament, having secured a bonus point in the defeat by Pakistan. Ganguly is backing his players to perform.

"This is our last chance and we will have to fire," said Ganguly. "This team has come out and performed well when its back is to the wall in the past and I hope we manage to do it again tomorrow.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are considering a rotation of players to give some of their youngsters some exposure and allow a handful of 'flu-ridden players to recover in time for the final, for which they have already qualified.

"Obviously we will be trying to play the game with the same intensity that we approach a normal game but we will see what we can do about giving some of the youngsters some exposure," skipper Marvan Atapattu told reporters.

Rookie fast bowler Lasith Malinga may replace left-armer Chaminda Vaas, who missed training on Monday because of the flu.