Shewag, Yuvraj give India confidence of breaking the jinx
4 August 2001
Despite the stunning comeback into the Coca-Cola Cup triangular one-
day series in Colombo, the big question facing India is whether they
can break their losing streak in the last four final appearances when
they take on Sri Lanka on Sunday.
India booked their place in the final from the brink of elimination.
Having won three pressure games, India look to be better placed than
ever to put a stop to their habit of faltering at the last hurdle.
They have lost the last four finals they have played in - the slide
starting with the defeat against New Zealand in the ICC Knock-out
tournament in October last year - but Sourav Ganguly and his men are
determined to halt the trend.
The confidence stems from the way they have played in the last three
matches and also from the brilliant individual performances of
Virendra Shewag and Yuvraj Singh, who almost single-handedly won the
last two games for India.
Shewag and Yuvraj must be giving headaches to the Sri Lankan camp but
India would need contributions from all the players in order to win
the cup tomorrow, considering the hosts would be all charged up to
avenge two successive losses to India in the league phase.
Sri Lanka had started as favourites to win the tournament and they had
proved their top billing by winning their first three matches,
including one against India, with relative ease. But they lost their
next two matches to India comprehensively.
The 2-1 advantage in the series does give a psychological edge to the
Indians but they must be wary of the Sri Lankans who are capable of
bouncing back especially since they are playing on home soil.
After their sterling performances, Shewag and Yuvraj will feature
prominently in the Indian scheme of things. Shewag, whose 69-ball 100
against New Zealand in the last league encounter was the seventh
fastest century in one-day history, will most probably open the
innings again with Ganguly who is slowly coming back to play his
natural innings.
In fact, a lot will depend on the opening partnership. India had lost
early wickets in each of their league matches except the last one
against New Zealand where Shewag and Ganguly shared a 143-run stand.
The opening pair will once again be required to put up a good score
even if it is not in the hurricane manner it was compiled against New
Zealand.
Rahul Dravid has been the most consistent of Indian batsmen in this
series and he can be expected to build upon the solid foundation. The
Indian vice-captain has looked as solid as ever and his performance
will be vital for the team's fortunes.
As will be that of Yuvraj Singh who is beaming with confidence after
his career-best unbeaten knock of 98 against Sri Lanka. The bowlers
will be on the backfoot against him and the Punjab youngster must
capitalise on the situation. He has shown his tremendous potential on
numerous occasions but has perished while trying to be too flashy. It
is time Yuvraj realises that he needs to play more responsible knocks
like the one against Sri Lanka.
VVS Laxman is another batsman who can turn the match around. The
stylish right-hander from Hyderabad has had a mixed series with his
unbeaten match-winning 87 against Sri Lanka standing out for its sheer
brilliance. Laxman has been undone on many a occasion due to his habit
of playing away from his body and he needs to restrain such
tendencies.
Another Punjab youngster Reetinder Singh Sodhi has also shown a lot of
promise especially under pressure situations. Coming at number six, he
doesn't get much opportunity but he has been chipping in with quick
twenties and thirties.
Hemang Badani has struggled in this tournament though he looked good
in his 35-ball unbeaten 37 in the last match. The team has reposed a
lot of faith in him and Badani will be looking to start from where he
left off on Thursday.
The Indian batting line-up is suddenly having a lot of depth after the
three victories but it will be put to the real test only tomorrow.
The Indian bowling has been pretty consistent and with the exception
of Thursday's match against New Zealand, the bowlers have done their
job admirably. Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan have developed into a
potent force and a lot will depend on their performance in the final.
Harbhajan Singh has also been among the wickets and his role in the
middle overs has been crucial for India's fortunes. The part-timers
like Ganguly, Sehwag, Yuvraj and Badani have also done a fine job and
can be expected to come up with a similar good performance.
Sri Lanka had inflicted one-day cricket's worst-ever defeat on India
in Sharjah in the two teams' previous meeting in a final last October.
And the hosts are aiming for a similar result this time in the wake of
their two successive losses.
They have a very balanced side with Sanath Jayasuriya leading an
explosive batting line-up that includes the likes of Romesh
Kaluwitharana, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene and Russel Arnold.
All of them have been in fine form in this tournament - with
Jayawardene too getting runs in the previous two matches - and are
capable of producing match-winning innings. They have come out
successful from sticky situations, amply exemplified in their five-
wicket win over New Zealand after reeling at 27 for four at one stage.
With a partisan home crowd expected to fully occupy the Premadasa
Stadium on a Sunday, Sri Lanka could make things difficult for the
Indians. Muthiah Muralitharan, who claimed a world record 7-30 in that
Sharjah final, will once again be at the helm of the Sri Lankan
bowling to haunt the Indians. He will have able company in Chaminda
Vaas, Dilhara Fernando and Kumar Dharmasena who have been troubling
the opposition batsman a lot in this series.
Both teams will announce their final eleven tomorrow.
The teams (from):
India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender
Shewag, Hemang Badani, Yuvraj Singh, Amay Khurasia, Reetinder Singh
Sodhi, Sameer Dighe, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Ajit
Agarkar and Rahul Sanghvi.
Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela
Jayawardene, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold,
Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Dharmasena, Chaminda Vaas, Dulip Liyanage,
Avishka Gunawardene, Suresh Perera, Dilhara Fernando and Dinusha
Fernando.
© PTI
Teams
|
India,
Sri Lanka.
|
Players/Umpires
|
Yuvraj Singh,
Virender Shewag,
Sourav Ganguly,
Rahul Dravid,
VVS Laxman,
Reetinder Sodhi,
Hemang Badani,
Harbhajan Singh,
Sanath Jayasuriya,
Romesh Kaluwitharana,
Marvan Atapattu,
Mahela Jayawardene,
Russel Arnold,
Muttiah Muralitharan,
Dilhara Fernando,
Kumar Dharmasena,
Chaminda Vaas.
|
Tournaments
|
Coca-Cola Cup (Sri Lanka) |
Grounds
|
R.Premadasa Stadium, Khettarama, Colombo
|