E-Paper
Do or die situation for India
India will be looking forward keenly to today's match against Lanka. But for the hosts, it will be an easy game, reports Jaideep Ghosh.
Not frequently does the destiny of two teams depend on one hastily-run bye. But that is how the Asia Cup now stands poised. India's 241 against Pakistan on Sunday night might have a huge impact on the tournament – on which team takes on Sri Lanka in the final.
India needed to reach that figure to deny Pakistan the bonus point, and grab it themselves. They got there off the last ball of the day, which meant they had seven points from two matches (having taken six points from Bangladesh), while Pakistan have five from the same number of matches.
So, if India beat Sri Lanka on Tuesday, they will gain at least five points, taking their total to 12. Even if Pakistan get six points in their last game against Bangladesh, they will stay at 11, not enough to make the final.
So, the much abused phrase ‘virtual semi-final’ comes to life once again. India must win.
This has not been a happy tournament for India. Coming off a year which was phenomenal, naturally expectations were running high, but the Indian show has been below even the most conservative estimate. Not one of the big games - they have played against Sri Lanka and Pakistan - have they won, beating only the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh.
India's strength had been the ability to pile up runs or chase big targets. The batting depth was being vindicated as almost all the batsmen were coming good. Here, however, the batting has been struggling. India's opening stand has yet to cross the 20-mark, and Virender Sehwag looks completely out of sorts, not to mention that he looks well below par on the fitness front. That invariably brings immense pressure on the top and middle-order.
Sourav Ganguly has taken the bold step of coming in at one-drop, and in both games he has looked like getting back into the kind of aggressive mode he is known for. However, apart from Rahul Dravid, no one has looked like taking control and guiding India home.
Additionally, VVS Laxman's injury has left a void, and one cannot see how that is going to be filled. Even if a replacement is called up, there is little chance that he will settle in, in time to play Tuesday's game.
As for the bowling, India have a problem there as well. Zaheer Khan has been declared fit but did not get a look-in against Pakistan. Now, if he was considered to be in better shape than Ashish Nehra when the tournament began, then how is it that he sits out? Granted, Nehra bowled well against Bangladesh and was decent against Pakistan, but if Zaheer is considered a better bowler, surely he plays, especially in a crunch game.
Lakshmipathy Balaji has not been able to control his line and length and it was basically his waywardness that helped the Pakistani batsmen score at rapid pace and put India in a corner. Irfan Pathan invariably begins well, but he needs support at the other end.
There is a lot of discussion here about the Indian team's combination in the game against Pakistan where they went in with six batsmen and five bowlers, a shift from the normal seven-four format. That only proved one thing - having five specialist bowlers does not mean that the team will be able to control the run flow. What matters is how they bowl.
As for Sri Lanka, they can really put their feet up, call up the reserves and give the big guns a rest. They have nothing to lose in this game, and unless they are particular who they want to play in the final, this is going to be an easy game for them.
Sanath Jayasuriya would not let go of such an opportunity though. The man scored a fine hundred against Bangladesh and surely he will be looking forward to fine-tuning his batting before the final.
India will be looking forward to the match keenly, but Pakistan more so. The Pakistanis will watch with a feeling of helplessness, since they have left their fate in others' hands. India, at least, have some control on the affairs.
Hopefully, their big match fortunes will change.
India (from): Sourav Ganguly (captain), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Yuvraj Singh, Mohammed Kaif, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Anil Kumble, Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan, Parthiv Patel.
Sri Lanka (from): Marvan Atapattu (captain), Aviska Gunawardene, Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Tilakaratne Dilshan, Upul Chandana, Nuwan Zoysa, Lasith Malinga, Farveez Maharoof, Saman Jayantha, Thilina Kandambi, Mahela Jayawardene, Chaminda Vaas.
