Sri Lanka vs. India – Tri-Series Final Match Preview
One of the most interesting Triangular Series in the subcontinent is finally coming to an end. It was refreshing to see bowler-friendly conditions in Asia, and all three teams in the competition (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 to secure a place in the final; they did that with relative ease and swept aside the Kiwis.
The home side (Sri Lanka) would be at full strength; they do have the obvious edge as they have been the more consistent team in the tournament. Unlike India and New Zealand, Sri Lanka has not suffered a major batting collapse and has been able to raise their game when needed. Sri Lanka has won two multination series in the past year, and would fancy themselves to come out on top in the final.
There would be an obvious threat for Sri Lanka from the explosive http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virender-Sehwag-c95429. The right-handed dynamite has singlehandedly kept the Indians in the hunt throughout the tournament with the bat. There has been able support from the bowlers, but he has been the most dominant force from the Indian camp. The final would be an opportunity for the inexperienced batsmen in the Indian team to show their mettle, just as Yuvraj and Mohammad Kaif did famously in England back in 2002.
The final may come down to the bowling backup of both teams. The opening duo from India and Sri Lanka has been impressive throughout the tournament, but the team that has a better follow-up attack would have the edge. Abhimanyu Mithun had been doing well but a heatstroke has ruled him out.
Sri Lanka holds the advantage where batting depth is considered. Thisara Perera, who is quite capable with the bat, would come in at number 8 for Sri Lanka. India, on the other hand, has a relatively long tail; http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ravindra-c84236 Jadeja is being termed as an all-rounder, but he has hardly done anything to vindicate that claim.
The form, purely based on wins and losses, could not be more similar for both teams. India and Sri Lanka have been on a consistent run of one win followed by one loss in the last 5 matches. However, both teams won their last match, so whoever wins would break the win-loss cycle.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Praveen-Kumar-c82600 would be crucial for India with the new ball; throughout the tournament, he has provided India with early breakthroughs. He sent back Tillakaratne Dilshan in the Asia Cup final in the very first over and pretty much set the tone for an India win. He has been able to extract swing and seam from the Dambulla pitch and would be a threat for the top order once again.
Angelo Mathews for Sri Lanka has fast established himself as a top all-rounder; he provides the team with a proper balance. Although he has not made it count with the bat in the tournament, he is always one of the key players in the Lankan team in both departments of the game.
India is expected to go in with an unchanged team that played against New Zealand, which means Rohit Sharma would miss out once again. As for Sri Lanka, they have the whole squad to choose from, but are also expected to keep the same side that was beaten by India in their final league game.
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