Stage set for Colombo shoot-out

By S. Dinakar

COLOMBO, AUG 4. Will it be eighth-time lucky for India? For a side that has succumbed in seven ODI finals since 1998, the summit clash of the Coca Cola Cup triangular competition presents an ideal opportunity to exorcise the ghosts of those searing setbacks.

But then, the team has already displayed an overdose of character to claw its back from the brink. Three defeats in the first three matches, followed by an astonishing turn-around, with the youngsters standing up to be counted.

It's now time for the final showdown. The last occasion when India clashed with Lanka - in the final at Sharjah last year - the side, in a shocking surrender, was bundled out for 54. This could be pay-back time.

The war paints will be on, the cymbals will clang, and in the cauldron of a title-deciding game, where strength of mind is the key, the Indians will have to seize the `moment' for the harshest truth of competitive sports is - the winner takes it all.

The side is on a roll, and has the momentum going, enduring some pretty trying moments on this tour, yet, the `dream run' might not count for much if India cannot pull it off one final time.

It will not be easy though against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium on Sunday. The host might have stumbled slightly towards the end of the league, yet Sanath Jayasuriya's side is a formidable adversary in this form of the game.

``What's gone is gone. We have to look forward. Tomorrow is another day. We've played well to qualify for the final,'' skipper Ganguly told the media here today, even as his team set out for an afternoon practice session. And if the Premadasa Stadium wicket starts playing tricks again, the toss might be vital. Batting first, putting adequate runs on the board, and then piling on the pressure under the lights, could well be the safe option.

India coach John Wright hit the nail on the head when he observed, ``hopefully we will get a pitch that will play constant throughout.'' Referring to India's string of reverses in the summit clashes, he added, ``You obviously want to break that cycle. Every game in the last three matches has been a final for us.'' Asked about the batting order, he replied, ``that is the captain's prerogative.''

And Ganguly indicated, the opening pair will not be disturbed and this means the Indian captain will not surface in the middle- order to counter Muttiah Muralitharan's testing off- spin, as we witnessed earlier in the tournament. This also suggests the team is growing in confidence.

Virender Sehwag, fresh from an awesome century that had the Kiwis on the run, will be raring to have another go at the top of the order, with his confidence levels high.

Vice-captain Rahul Dravid has been a pillar of strength in the middle-order, displaying an amalgam of technique and flair. Not to forget V.V.S. Laxman, a distinct threat, despite his injury, the rejuvenated Yuveraj Singh, with his match-winning qualities, and the talented Hemang Badani, slowly finding his touch. The batting order is unlikely to be disturbed.

The Indian bowling did come in for some punishment against New Zealand, yet stood the test admirably in the other matches. Despite fitness problems, pacemen Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra have had their moments, and ace offie Harbhajan Singh, has troubled most batsmen with his line, turn, bounce and variety.

Yet the surprise packet has been the left-arm spin of Yuveraj, who has operated with common-sense, and within his limitations. Zaheer was down with a slight fever today, but the team- management expects the left-arm seamer to be fit for the final.

Now, to the skipper. Ganguly's form with the bat is looking up, he had bowled his seamers cleverly, but will have to put a lid on his temper. Aggression is one thing, words of anger quite another.

The Indians had an off-day on the field against New Zealand - Wright observed this could have been due to the strain of playing back-to-back matches - but any lapses in the final could prove fatal.

Fielding is an area where Punjab's Reetinder Singh Sodhi has been quite outstanding, throwing himself at the ball, as if his very life depended on that save. As Ganguly said, there is plenty of youthful exuberance in the side, and some of the youngsters have also shown maturity.

Jayasuriya expects a tough final

Ganguly's counterpart Jayasuriya expects it to be a tough game. ``I knew India has played enough cricket to come back, but the fact that it has won three matches in-a-row makes it more dangerous.''

The Lankans clinched four matches in the league, yet the batting has tended to come apart in the heat of the battle. Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold and Romesh Kaluwitharana, have been among the runs, without displaying the consistency. And this has put more pressure on Jayasuriya.

``I always try to stay for 20 or 30 overs, because this makes it easier for the others. I don't have any pressure. I can change my game any time,'' He denied Lanka was a one-man batting line-up as suggested by Ganguly, and said there was enough talent in the youngsters, some of whom were being groomed.

The Lankan think-tank is also toying with the idea of fielding seven specialist batsmen for the final, a formula that worked so wonderfully for the side in the 1996 World Cup. A decision though will only be taken on Sunday.

The hosts have fewer problems in bowling with Chaminda Vaas and Dilhara Fernando striking a potent new-ball combination, and then there is the canny Muralitharan spinning his web. Dharmasena is consistent while, pace-bowling all-rounder Suresh Perera is more than handy, especially with the willow. However, if the side opts for an extra batsman, either Fernando or Dharmasena could find himself out.

Well, the shoot-out on Sunday, before what is expected to be a huge turn-out, should be engrossing. And it could be close.

The teams:

India (from): Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, V.V.S. Laxman, Rahul Dravid, Hemang Badani, Yuveraj Singh, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Sameer Dighe, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Asish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar, Debasis Mohanty, Rahul Sanghvi, and Amay Khurasiya. Coach: John Wright.

Sri Lanka (from): Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Romesh Kaluwitharana, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Russel Arnold, Avishka Gunawardene, Kumara Sangakkara, Suresh Perera, Chaminda Vaas, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Kumara Dharmasena, Dulip Liyanage, Dinusha Fernando and Chamara Silva. Coach: Dav Whatmore.

Umpires: Mr. Wijewardene & Mr. Asoka de Sliva. Third umpire: Mr. Peter Manuel. Match Referee: Mr. Cammie Smith.

Hours of play (IST): 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. & 6.15 p.m. till the end of the match.

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