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India take on Sri Lanka in tri-series final today
India desperately need to lift their game to have a chance against the hosts, writes C Shekhar Luthra.
After yet another night of embarrassment, when a secondstring Caribbean side nearly succeeded in pulling off a coup, India desperately need to lift their game to have a chance against hosts Sri Lanka in the IndianOil Trophy tri-series final here on Tuesday.
Tension gripped the Indian team as a helpless-looking Rahul Dravid tossed the ball to quickie Ashish Nehra in an attempt to prevent the West Indians from adding another humiliating chapter to India's recent one-day history. Luckily for India, Nehra succeeded and the celebrity team managed a seven-run victory over a side led by Sylvester Joseph, 12 one-dayers old.
After two defeats to Lanka and a shocker against Windies, Indian coach Greg Chappell must be asking himself some hard questions as to what's going on, despite having such a star-studded unit. He has repeatedly backed his unpredictable seniors by saying that "they have earned their right to get more chances on the basis of their past performances". But for how long is anybody's guess.
Lanka, too, lost their last meaningless league tie against Windies but otherwise their performance in crucial matches was exemplary. All their top-order batsmen have come good at least once.
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Despite starting the tournament without two of their topclass speedsters -- Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa -- replacements Farveez Maharoof and Dilhara Lokuhettige never gave the impression of being substitute bowlers. Their batting skills have, in fact, given the Lankan line-up strength in depth up to No. 10. Now with Zoysa returning and Vaas almost back to fitness, their coach Tom Moody would be forced to take some tough decisions on Tuesday.
The situation in the Indian camp, however, is not so rosy. Sourav Ganguly has shown no signs of improvement against rising deliveries targeted at his body.
Whenever he comes out to bat, most pace bowlers around the world aim at his ribcage instead of his wicket.
Virender Sehwag's fight for consistency continues, MS Dhoni's fight with his technique looks a never-ending battle while VVS Laxman has once again faltered in his one-day comeback. With his solo efforts, skipper Dravid has bailed India out of difficult situations. But for how long?
There is a need for consistency on the part of the seniors. And Chappell looks disturbed. "It's a concern, but then every game is a different game. And as Yuvraj showed on Sunday, if you go out there and get started, there is no reason why good players can't get runs. We have good players and they are all keen to make runs. So I'm comfortable," said Chappell.
The news on Ganguly's fitness is not very clear. He was forced to retire hurt after being hit by a Daren Powell delivery on Sunday. "He's had an X-ray and has been cleared of structural damage. There is some amount of soft tissue damage, but he should be fine," the coach said.
It may again be left to Yuvraj and Kaif, who saved Chappell the blushes on his birthday, to extend their good form for one last match.
Yuvraj looked pleased with his efforts. But he did admit that he has not been getting scores regularly. "Batting at number five or six doesn't give you a chance to get 100. I was happy with my effort. And I got it after a long gap," he said. "Actually, I was angry with myself because every time I get a start, I get out. So my outburst after completing my hundred was more of an expression of relief."
The pitch at the Premadasa stadium looks slow to start with but if a batsman can get used to its pace, there should be no stopping him. After Kumble's three-wicket burst against WI, India may be forced to play two spinners, at the cost of an out-of-form batsman. That's a hard decision to take. But India need to take these unpleasant decisions if they want to win.
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