COLOMBO, 29 September — Asia’s two cricketing giants India and Sri Lanka clash today in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Premadasa Stadium here, promising thrills, excitement and a fitting climax to a highly successful tournament.
Both are former world champions — India in 1983 and Sri Lanka in 1996. They recorded contrasting victories in the semifinals. India fought back from the depths of despair to knock out South Africa in a nail-biting finish.
Sri Lanka on the other hand, caused a big upset by thrashing world champions Australia in a semifinal that proved to be a no-contest.
“Sri Lanka is a good side at home and it will be a good match,” said Indian skipper Saurav Ganguly after the team’s vigorous practice session yesterday.
“We are happy that Srinath is expected to play. Calling him does not mean we have no faith in Agarkar.
But we must have a cover in case somebody suffers sudden injury,” he explained. He said Srinath was in good form and had agreed to play also in the Test series against the West Indies.
Ganguly said the Indian batting was better than Sri Lanka’s.
“As for our bowling, you wait and see tomorrow,” he added. Ganguly said he was not surprised by the behavior of the pitch in Friday’s match.
“Sri Lanka had to depend on spin and that was the only way they could have beaten Australia,” he said. Ganguly said he expected a good batting wicket for today’s final game.
He said there was no need to change the batting order. “Sachin will bat at No. 4. It is ridiculous how people start asking questions if Sachin fails in two matches. He is the best batsman in the world today,” Ganguly added.
Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya said it was going to be a tough game. “Both teams play under similar conditions. Both have good batting and both are balanced sides,” he said.
Jayasuriya admitted that the Indian bowling would be strengthened by the arrival of Srinath.
“His presence will make a difference because he is a seasoned campaigner. We have to watch out for him. But overall we have an edge in the bowling department,” Jayasuriya added.
Lankan coach Dav Whatmore said it was going to be an interesting game. “The Indians have come up over the years and they have done extremely well. The two teams have similar strengths and play under similar conditions,” Whatmore elaborated.
India have a strong batting lineup with Sehwag, Ganguly, Laxman, Tendulkar, Dravid, Yuvraj and Kaif all capable of notching up big scores. Their pace attack has been strengthened by the arrival of Srinath who will replace an injured Nehra to partner Zaheer.
Off-spinner Harbhajan and leg-spinner Kumble are world class spinners though their success in the tournament so far has been only moderate. India’s policy of playing four specialist bowlers means the remaining 10 overs have to be shared by Yuvraj, Sehwag, Tendulkar and Ganguly. And if Sehwag continues to bowl like he did against South Africa, he can alone bowl the 10 overs.
The Sri Lankan batting does appear, at least on paper, as solid as India’s. Skipper Jayasuriya can tear apart any attack on his day.
Veteran Aravinda, who was urged by Whatmore to postpone his decision to retire until after next year’s World Cup, has a high reputation but has not lived up to it so far.
Atapattu, Sangakkara, Jayewardena and Russell Arnold have the potential to compile a big total. Their spinners Dharmasena, Muralitharan, Upul Chandana and Jayasuriya are all competent.
They bowled exceedingly well against Australia. Aravinda in particular was a revelation. Vaas is still very competitive but his seam partner Gunaratne still has some way to go. The teams appear to be well-matched in batting and bowling but it is in fielding that the Lankans have a decided edge.
They are also far quicker in running between the wickets.
So in the ultimate analysis, the team which clicks as a combination, is likely to claim the top prize of $300,000 and the silver trophy worth $30,000.
This is world cricket’s largest ever cash prize. In the previous 73 meetings between the two teams, India have won 39, Sri Lanka 29 and five were no results.
