M.S. Dhoni was asked recently: “the last time you played Sri Lanka here (Colombo), you lost the game before the final and then went on to win that final, would you think about that?” In reply, the Indian captain smiled and said, “I like that.”
Having lost the last league match against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup here on Tuesday, Dhoni might well draw positive cues from the past when India won the Compaq Cup in Colombo against the host, last year.
Uncharted territory
However Thursday's summit clash at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium is uncharted territory and Dhoni was quick to add: “It is a new game and we need to play at our best.”
India's path to the final was a mix of ease against Bangladesh and steely nerves against Pakistan before Sri Lanka stepped in to chip away at any false notions of superiority.
On Tuesday, Karthik, who replaced an injured Virender Sehwag, offered glimpses of his talent that has not fully flowered on international duty and the enigmatic Rohit Sharma displayed poise.
Batting woes
Yet India's bag of batting woes is bulging. Rohit, Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli between them have scored just 183 runs in the last three games. Consequently, there is increased the pressure on Gautam Gamhir and Dhoni to propel and consolidate the scoreboard. Raina had his moments against Pakistan but it was Harbhajan Singh, who thumped the winning run and then quickly said: “I am not an all-rounder.”
Among the bowlers, Zaheer Khan has been largely consistent while Ashish Nehra, who was rested on Tuesday, has been lukewarm with an economy rate of 6.61. “Nehra is fit,” Dhoni said.
Praveen Kumar, with his handy bag of tricks handy and with five scalps is India's highest wicket-taker so far in this tournament, though he is expected do much better.
The attack will be strengthened with the return of Harbhajan. Secondary options are non-existent as the likes of Ashok Dinda have failed to impress.
Lankan advantage
Sri Lanka, relishing the comfort factor of being the host and the halo of being the defending champion, took the luxury of giving a break to four key players – Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga, Nuwan Kulasekara and Thilan Samaraweera – on Tuesday and still emerged on top. Looking ahead, skipper Kumar Sangakkara said: “We want to play our best eleven when looking at the final. India is a good team and we have to play competitive cricket.”
Sri Lanka's top-order has displayed its mettle with Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene chipping in with the runs. Their bowlers, such as Lasith Malinga and Farveez Maharoof, have also played their part.
The history of multi-team tournament finals between India and Sri Lanka hints at a close contest. Out of 14 finals, Sri Lanka has won seven, India has won six and one game was a no-result affair.
A triumph here on Thursday will help Sri Lanka achieve an Asia Cup hat-trick after having won the title in 2004 and 2008. Dhoni's men though would love to spoil the party and move ahead.
The teams:
India: M.S. Dhoni (captain), Gautam Gambhir, Dinesh Karthik, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Pragyan Ojha, Ashok Dinda, R. Ashwin and Saurabh Tiwary.
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (captain), Muttiah Muralitharan, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Angelo Mathews, Farveez Maharoof, Chamara Kapugedara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welegedara, Lasith Malinga, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath and Thilina Kandamby.
Umpires: Billy Bowden and Billy Doctrove;
Match referee: Andy Pycroft.
Play starts at 2.30 p.m. IST.
