 Indian team flying high on confidant after beating Sri Lanka in their last league match of Super Four now keen to repeat the same performance against same opposition at same venue to snatch the Asia Cup title from the hands of current defending Champion Sri Lanka. On the other hand Sri Lanka rested their two most valuable players who have performed well so far throughout the tournament and will include those two for the big final of Asia Cup to defend the Asia Cup title. So all in all a cracking battle is expected between these two Asian giants in the Final. With Indian bowlers looking ordinary throughout the tournament Indian captain once gain hoping their batsman to take more pain and won a game for them. While the Indian bowlers have not made much of an impression on the batting-friendly track at the National stadium, the batsmen have made amends by chasing down big totals in the tournament so far. If India want to lift the Asia Cup 2008 then their bowling and fielding departments need to be improved before going into the match against the Sri Lankan’s Lion. Irfan Pathan is so far after making comeback into the team in the current Asia Cup looks ordinary and is one of the weakest links in the Indian bowling attack. On the other hand Sri Lankan Captain Mahela Jayawardene believes that after two weeks of regular matches there will be some wear and tear in the pitches for the final and it is obvious he is counting on Mendis and Murali to deliver the goods. Sri Lankan attack is no doubt poses more experience than the Indian attacks and has more variety in their bags so it will be challenge for the Indian batsman to come good against M.Murali and A.Mendis. Pitch Report In spite of some good support for the pace bowler in the last match at National Stadium pitch it is unlikely that it will cause of concern for the teams playing in the Final. Player to Watch M.S.Dhoni: He is one of the Mr. consistent for his team with the bat in Asia Cup, contributed whenever his team needed a valiant innings from the Captain. If he wants to lift the Asia Cup then once again he would look to perform well with the bat. S.Jayasurya: He love to play big innings at big occasion and it will be no surprise if he get going once again in the final of Asia Cup. Team News India team may opt for same XI as they have played against the Sri Lankan’s in their last game. On the other hand Sri Lanka is likely to bring C.Vaas and A.Mendis for the big Final of Asia Cup. Stats and Trivia India is the only team who has won Asia Cup for the four numbers of time, but the last win was came in 1995. Sri Lanka has won Asia Cup three times and is currently defending champions of Asia Cup. Likely Playing XI for both the teams (Match will start from 15:30 PM India time) India: V.Sehwag, G.Gambhir, Y.Singh, M.S.Dhoni (Captain), S.Raina, R.Sharma, I.Pathan, P.Ojha, P.Kumar, R.P.Singh, I.Sharma. Sri Lanka: S.Jayasurya, Kumar Sangakara (WK), Mahela Jayawardene (Captain), Chamara Kapugedera, Chamara Silva, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Thilan Thushara, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, C.Vaas, M.Muralitharan. |
