
Set for final burst
The face of Indian cricket has changed over the last few years what with the emphasis laid on youth. Youngsters have shown vigour and daring, added to on-field aggression. This MS Dhoni-led side represents the youth policy and has looked a tough side that is improving rapidly.
On Saturday, this young bunch faces another stern test against arch-rivals, Pakistan, in the Kitply tri-series final. Every India-Pakistan clash is keenly followed with just the thought of it arousing passion and interest. Games have fluctuated and the winner has often been decided on the last ball. There have been numerous high-voltage dramas in the past and there's hope that the tri-series final will provide one tighter encounter. Going by the formbook India have the edge.
On Tuesday, the Men in Blue handed Shoaib Malik's men their biggest defeat against India (in terms of runs). They were equally merciless against Bangladesh on Thursday night.
Pakistan have problems on hand. Despite winning a couple of one-day series against weak sides, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, they've looked deficient when pitted against tougher opposition. In fact, just after their huge loss to India, they were pulled up by the PCB chief through an email, the contents of which were leaked. Infighting has been their bane in the past and they are known to succumb under pressure. But team manager, Talat Ali, maintains that the morale of the team is high and that everyone is geared up for the final.
Shoaib Malik's moves in the 140-run loss against India were difficult to comprehend. He was criticised by the Pakistani journalists for dropping Fawad Alam on a spin-friendly pitch, and picking a seamer instead.
He was asked, "Are you afraid of bowling against stronger teams like India?" Though Malik tried hard to convince them that he bowled his own offspin against the brightest and the best, the journalists stuck to their stance.
Pakistan's top-order surrendered meekly to Praveen Kumar and Ishant Sharma, and the formalities were completed by Piyush Chawla. Dhoni has a tough decision on his hands — should he omit RP Singh and bring back Ishant Sharma, who was rested for the match against Bangladesh, or go with RP, who picked up three wickets when given a go?
India's batting looks solid. The ferocious starts that Virender Sehwag-Gautam Gambhir combine has given them and the kind of touch the others are in hasn't left much room for changes. The last time the two met in a tri-nation final was in April 1999 in Sharjah when Wasim Akram's Pakistan trounced Mohammad Azharuddin's side by eight wickets.
From then on, the contests have been evenly fought. In fact, India have won 11 and lost just 8 in the last 20 games.
Teams (from):
India: MS Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, Rohit Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, RP Singh, Pragyan Ojha & Manpreet Gony.
Pakistan: Shoaib Malik (captain), Salman Butt, Nasir Jamshaid, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal, Sohail Khan, Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Rao Iftikhar, Wahab Riaz, Fawad Alam, Bazid Khan and Nomanullah.

'He's done better than what was expected from him': Zaheer lauds India debutant
- India vs Australia: Zaheer Khan, the former India quick, had nothing but good words about the India debutant, who bowled remarkably in the first innings of the Brisbane Test.

Brisbane Test: Opening blows leave India a touch nervy

BCCI apex body to discuss T20 World Cup tax relief
- BCCI had apprised its AGM last month that it was in talks with the government, but if no tax exemptions were given the board would have to meet the tax liability amounting to approximately ₹900 crore.

Shakib Al Hasan included in Bangladesh squad for West Indies ODIs
- Shakib Al Hasan is set to return to international cricket after serving a year-long ban.

India vs Australia: Shardul finds the right length, reins in the Aussie innings
- India vs Australia: In his first away Test, Shardul Thakur picked up 3/94, bowling 24 overs after Navdeep Saini went off injured on Day 1.

'It wasn't movement, it was his talent': Sachin appreciates India pacer's effort
- India vs Australia: The fast bowler's effort was noticed and lauded by none other that former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who feels the fast bowler has an uncanny ability to produce challenging deliveries due to the many ways he has of holding the seam.

‘There's lot to like about him’: Aus assistant coach impressed with India bowler
- Sundar, Natarajan and Thakur bowled with a lot of heart, given the big names they were replacing in the team, but one of them in particular has caught the attention of Andrew McDonald, Australia’s assistant coach.

'It didn’t go down well’: When Ponting asked McGrath not to bowl with new ball
- Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting narrated an incident where he once asked Glenn McGrath to come second change, something the former quick did not approve of.

South Africa not easy to beat but Pakistan banking on home advantage: Misbah

Joe Root returns to form with a fantastic double ton against Sri Lanka

Warne, O'Keefe take a dig at Rishabh Pant for wearing shinny sunglasses

Joe Root's heartwarming gesture after scoring double ton trends on Twitter

'Abuse is cheap, shows weakness': Chappell writes open letter to Paine
