Lanka favourites on current form

India will hope that they are peaking at the right time and Sri Lanka will want to keep their current run of form together. During the tournament, writes Bob Woolmer

After a four-year break, the Asia Cup reaches its climax with Sunday's final. The final features Sri Lanka, who are currently riding on a crest of a cricketing wave, and India, who have been unconvincing in this tournament, apart from a nerve-racking win against Sri Lanka which was enough to knock out Pakistan.

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Both sides will know that yesterday's form will be history and that whoever plays well on the night will come away with the spoils. India will hope that they are peaking at the right time and Sri Lanka will want to keep their current run of form together. During the tournament, these two sides have met twice and the score is 1-1 and both games were close.

My view is that this will be a titanic struggle.

I believe the return of Laxman will be a key factor alongwith Sehwag and Tendulkar, who will combine as the fifth bowler. Laxman, should provide the extra runs that India will need.

Assuming that Laxman is fit of course, it is interesting that there was this rumour -- during the tournament that his knee injury is so serious that he might return home. Now I believe he could well be the difference in this final.

Sri Lanka will of course have their two main bowlers back. In Murali and Chaminda Vaas they have two potential match winners.

I was interested too in our last game against Bangladesh where the humidity levels were as high as I had experienced throughout the tournament.

The amount of grass on the pitch then, was similar to that in Pakistan and Sri Lanka game. Both these factors enhanced the sideways and up and down movement for the team batting second under lights. So the toss might well be a factor on Sunday.

Jayasuriya too cannot be discounted in the mix and if India stick to the same attack of Pathan and Balaji, then I think Jayasuriya will be pretty tough on Balaji.

I believe India should open with Nehra and Pathan and have Zaheer as first change. Kumble should be the number one spinner. In fact I was really impressed by Sachin's tactics against us in the death overs coming round the wicket bowling leg spin. It was a clever line and was difficult to get away. I am sure it prevented Pakistan from scoring 20 extra runs.

At night it is not unusual for the conditions to affect the result and the side batting first I believe has an advantage.

I am going to plumb for Sri Lanka, because they have been playing the tougher cricket recently and although they may be tired they seem to really want this trophy.

I would like to make mention of two players who will play crucial roles -- Sachin Tendulkar and the tall Sri Lankan quickie Mr. Zoysa.

Zoysa has bowled well throughout the tournament and I hope that he manages to stay fit throughout the match. Sachin of course, has not really turned in a match-winning batting performance. Will he be the man of the moment on Sunday?

The tournament organisers must take great credit for a job well done. The ground staff have been under pressure to produce excellent surfaces and have done so. The Asia Cup has been a success. May the best team on the night pick up the trophy.

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