Now Sri Lanka look for a hat-trick

Published>Thu, Jun 24 10 11:52 AM

Farveez Maharoof knew he had hit the right spot - just short of length - on this Rangiri Dambulla wicket, leaving the ball to do the rest. Luckily for him, Tuesday was one of those days when everything fell in place. Mahroof's hat-trick against India might have given a fresh lease of life to his international career, but the lanky all-rounder is not sure about his chances of playing in the final. But Maharoof or not in the XI, Sri Lanka will be attempting a hat-trick of sorts when they take on India in the Asia Cup final.

There's something about the islanders and the Asia Cup; it seems to bring out the best in them. After the 2004 and 2008 editions, they will be gunning their third title in a row - fifth overall - having made the final on all ten occasions.

Add to it their form and the backing of a partisan crowd, and Kumar Sangakkara and his boys should start favourites on Thursday afternoon. The spin of the coin should not be a significant factor, with a few good chases from either team, although the captain would be wary of the forecast of rain and the strong evening breeze.

The pitch is fresh and may assist the slower bowlers while forcing the batters to wait. So far, Team India's middle order has found it difficult to negotiate, showing impulsiveness and little patience to play with the straight bat (except for captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has been holding the innings together).

Eyeing a Test spot

Rohit Sharma also stuck around in the previous game, probably with one eye on the larger picture - the team for Test matches and the subsequent tri-series is to be named in the coming days. For the likes of Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina, therefore, the final will also be an opportunity to stake their claim in the Test team.

At the top, Dinesh Karthik has looked good with Gautam Gambhir, though the new-ball pair they may face in the final is likely to be different and more potent. Overall, India are struggling to stitch together partnerhips while their bowling has also looked lacklustre. The return of Harbhajan Singh and Ashish Nehra should bolster the attack.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's top and middle-order has been in top form. Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan have been among runs, while Sangakkara-Mahela Jayawardene combine has forged match-winning partnerships in all three games. Sri Lanka bat deep and have a problem of plenty with the ball.

Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekera have formed a great new-ball pair while Angelo Mathews has been good as one change. Muttiah Muralitharan has been miserly and with the likes of Maharoof, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath and Chanaka Welegedara as options for Sangakkara, Team India might find it tough to score.

Sangakkara has insisted complacency will be out of the dressing room while India are showing intent in correcting their poor record in events featuring more than two teams. The Asia Cup is the first step towards 2011 and both teams would like to hit the ground running.

It rained on Wednesday night, and though there's a reserve day, India will be keen to settle the issue on Thursday itself, and return home to rest and prepare for the longer grind - again in Sri Lanka.

Source: Web Search