Looking Ahead : Its Time to Coronate the Asian Champion

A Preview to the Grand Finale of the Asia Cup by Venkat

     This is the game we have been waiting for since a long time. Two of the top 3 Asian teams are all set to battle it for top honours in the finals of the Indian Oil Asia Cup 2004. It is a bit unfortunate that one of the better and promising teams in the tournament - Pakistan are not quite there, but having said that, its their own making that they are out of the tournament. India - are they peaking at the right time ?? Or is the rust of losing all but two finals still haunting them ? Will they or will they not literally erase the "chokers" tag conferred to them by the pundits ?? We at Cricketfundas.com would like to give its readers a full and comprehensive and analytical preview to the finals of the Asia Cup between India and Sri Lanka to be played at the Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium on 1st August 2004.

India :

     Having sneaked through to the finals, thanks to some late heroics by Virender Sehwag and Zaheer Khan with the ball, India would be a side that will go into the finals with a better frame of mind, with an intense self-belief that they could take it all. But, the Indians will have to remind themselves of the dismal record they have in all finals since the World Cup 2003. It will be their sixth consecutive final appearance since the World Cup, but they have only been successful in twice of them ! So, although they beat Pakistan in a closely fought series in Pakistan, the tag of chokers is not quite erased yet. India will have to gain their focus back and try and forget the past and concentrate on the game in hand, something they have failed to do in the past finals.

     I personally feel, that there is nothing to choose between India and Sri Lanka, with both teams giving each other a close run in the two games played. Although psychologically the Indians, if I may say must be just a little ahead. But having said that, they have to face balls of fire from Murali and Vaas in the finals as they are sure to return to the Lankan XI. India should go into this match, with a nothing to lose attitude, although they are joint favourites according to me. But, they have a big point to prove - that they deserved to win the Champions Trophy finals in 2002, when rain played a bad sport.

Strengths :

     India's batting seems to be in great touch. India are for sure a different proposition altogether when their top 7 are firing, and I think they have saved their best for the last. We could see that they have a strong sense of self-belief and self-confidence, something that was clearly lacking if not diluted in the earlier games. Although India have sneaked through, they have taken in the confidence from the last few overs, which is why they are in the finals. Irfan Pathan, might just have to get a driving license soon, as his top bowling form could result in a Man of the Series award. Ganguly showed immense faith in Zaheer and Sehwag, which I feel could only do their confidence a world of good. The possible or probable return of VVS Laxman should raise the morale of the Indian dressing room as he's been playing some crucial knocks in crunch matches for India.

Weaknesses :

     Its better to prevent and prepare than repent and repair, and I am afraid the Indian fielding is going through a stage, where they are neither repairing nor repenting for their mistakes. Except Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh and some other seniors, the fielding unit looks a bit jaded. In this tournament, India have been conceding way too many runs to individual batsman. One must remember that there have been two CONSECUTIVE centuries made by batters against India - Shoaib Malik and Sanath Jayasuriya - and in the context of an ODI, they are big centuries. The Indians will have to correct these weaknesses all in time for the big finals on Sunday, if they have any intentions of prevailing over their opponents.

Sri Lanka :

     A chance like never before to make a hat-trick of Asia Cup wins at home and becoming yet again, the only home country to retain top Asian cricketing honours. The Lankans, have a clear knowledge of their conditions, the atmosphere and everything to do with the ground, but what will be interesting to see is if the last few overs of the previous match has in anyway psychologically distorted their preparations ! But, they'll realize that they had given the fittest possible Indian team a hard scare in the previous match, and John Dyson and his men, will take the positives out of it for sure. Records suggest that they are the dominant team in their home country, but they must ensure that the Lankan boys raise their game to a level, where the Indians will be mentally won over. Chaminda Vaas and Muralitharan are more than expected to be back for he finals, but the key factor for me is Sanath Jayasuriya - because, if he fires, India will almost choke under the assault and the Lankans will be hoping fo a repeat of his classy knock of 189 against India at Sharjah, which saw India reeling to a defeat.

Strengths :

     If any team has been playing to its potential in this tournament, it has been Sri Lanka. Although I personally reckon that Sri Lanka is still over depending on Sanath ayya's batting, as this tournament has progressed, the top order batters have been clicking for Sri Lanka. Avishka Gunawardena is in great form and the only game he really missed out was against India, when the two teams met last. One of the positives the Lankans could possibly take into the finals is Farveez Maharoof - who has really dimmed the spotlight on superstars like Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas. The intensity of the Lankans on the field is something to be made note of. They have been the best fielding side on show in the tournament and one more asset they have is that all of their batsmen are good runners between the wickets.

Weaknesses :

     The Sri Lankans have been virtually flawless in all their games so far. But, the last game against India exposed some of their weaknesses, which if taken advantage of could bag it all for India. Their middle-order seems to be a bit weak, and again the over-reliance on Sanath Jayasuriya for a good start could just work expertly for the opposition. So, once Sanath is back in the hut, the team could just collapse under some intense pressure. There is some kind of inexperience in the lower order of the Sri Lankans, which if exposed could just see a lower total in the finals.

     All in all, the finals seems to be an exciting proposition from the top two Asian cricketing teams, that have emerged as the tournament has gone into the knockout stages. This is one game, where the favourites tag barely counts, and what will ultimately count is how good the teams, very little to choose from, turn on the given day (Sunday) and play to win. Oh yes, If I could be a bit diplomatic, I'd say MAY THE BEST TEAM WIN !!!