Bangalore: Predicting a keen tussle for supremacy in the forthcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka, former Indian skipper and coach Ajit Wadekar said the Sri Lankans and the New Zealand were no pushovers and would give India run for their money.8

"The tri-series would be a very closely fought affair and the Lankans and the Kiwis cannot be taken lightly even though India, with both Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid back, look to be very well balanced.

"But Lanka, on their own back yard, have always proved a tough nut to crack while the Kiwis have the knack of producing the best in a One-Day game especially against India so I expect a close tussle for supremacy," Wadekar, who led India to their first ever overseas Test series win in 1971, told Cricketnext.com on Saturday.

"Despite the absence of dashing Indian opener Virender Sehwag and their bowling spearhead Zaheer Khan due to injuries, I think India holds a slight edge over their two rivals in the tri-series, which according to me is the right preparation ahead of the Champions Trophy in South Africa," the southpaw added.

Backing Sachin Tendulkar’s idea of splitting a fifty overs match into two innings of 25 overs each to make it more interesting and competitive, Wadekar said, it was worth trying out so that one team does not get an unfair advantage in a day-night match.

"Sachin (Tendulkar) is a very keen follower of the game and I totally agree with his observations especially during a day-night one-day match, where the toss seems to be having an unfair advantage on the results of the matches, which should not be the case.

"By splitting the one-dayers into two innings match, both the teams get to bat or bowl under the lights, making it more challenging and competitive," Wadekar said.

"I think the International cricket Council (ICC) should seriously look into this and if this helps one-day matches to regain its popularity, why not implement it in the near future. By trying out this format the ICC will not be tampering with the concept of the one-day game but adding a new dimension to it," he added.