Shewag, Yuvraj give India confidence of breaking the jinx

Despite the stunning comeback into the Coca-Cola Cup triangular oneday series in Colombo, the big question facing India is whether they can break their losing streak in the last four final appearances when they take on Sri Lanka on Sunday.

India booked their place in the final from the brink of elimination. Having won three pressure games, India look to be better placed than ever to put a stop to their habit of faltering at the last hurdle.

They have lost the last four finals they have played in - the slide starting with the defeat against New Zealand in the ICC Knock-out tournament in October last year - but Sourav Ganguly and his men are determined to halt the trend.

The confidence stems from the way they have played in the last three matches and also from the brilliant individual performances of Virendra Shewag and Yuvraj Singh, who almost single-handedly won the last two games for India.

Shewag and Yuvraj must be giving headaches to the Sri Lankan camp but India would need contributions from all the players in order to win the cup tomorrow, considering the hosts would be all charged up to avenge two successive losses to India in the league phase.

Sri Lanka had started as favourites to win the tournament and they had proved their top billing by winning their first three matches, including one against India, with relative ease. But they lost their next two matches to India comprehensively.

The 2-1 advantage in the series does give a psychological edge to the Indians but they must be wary of the Sri Lankans who are capable of bouncing back especially since they are playing on home soil.

After their sterling performances, Shewag and Yuvraj will feature prominently in the Indian scheme of things. Shewag, whose 69-ball 100 against New Zealand in the last league encounter was the seventh fastest century in one-day history, will most probably open the innings again with Ganguly who is slowly coming back to play his natural innings.

In fact, a lot will depend on the opening partnership. India had lost early wickets in each of their league matches except the last one against New Zealand where Shewag and Ganguly shared a 143-run stand. The opening pair will once again be required to put up a good score even if it is not in the hurricane manner it was compiled against New Zealand.

Rahul Dravid has been the most consistent of Indian batsmen in this series and he can be expected to build upon the solid foundation. The Indian vice-captain has looked as solid as ever and his performance will be vital for the team's fortunes.

As will be that of Yuvraj Singh who is beaming with confidence after his career-best unbeaten knock of 98 against Sri Lanka. The bowlers will be on the backfoot against him and the Punjab youngster must capitalise on the situation. He has shown his tremendous potential on numerous occasions but has perished while trying to be too flashy. It is time Yuvraj realises that he needs to play more responsible knocks like the one against Sri Lanka.

VVS Laxman is another batsman who can turn the match around. The stylish right-hander from Hyderabad has had a mixed series with his unbeaten match-winning 87 against Sri Lanka standing out for its sheer brilliance. Laxman has been undone on many a occasion due to his habit of playing away from his body and he needs to restrain such tendencies.

Another Punjab youngster Reetinder Singh Sodhi has also shown a lot of promise especially under pressure situations. Coming at number six, he doesn't get much opportunity but he has been chipping in with quick twenties and thirties.

Hemang Badani has struggled in this tournament though he looked good in his 35-ball unbeaten 37 in the last match. The team has reposed a lot of faith in him and Badani will be looking to start from where he left off on Thursday.

The Indian batting line-up is suddenly having a lot of depth after the three victories but it will be put to the real test only tomorrow.

The Indian bowling has been pretty consistent and with the exception of Thursday's match against New Zealand, the bowlers have done their job admirably. Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan have developed into a potent force and a lot will depend on their performance in the final.

Harbhajan Singh has also been among the wickets and his role in the middle overs has been crucial for India's fortunes. The part-timers like Ganguly, Sehwag, Yuvraj and Badani have also done a fine job and can be expected to come up with a similar good performance.

Sri Lanka had inflicted one-day cricket's worst-ever defeat on India in Sharjah in the two teams' previous meeting in a final last October. And the hosts are aiming for a similar result this time in the wake of their two successive losses.

They have a very balanced side with Sanath Jayasuriya leading an explosive batting line-up that includes the likes of Romesh Kaluwitharana, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene and Russel Arnold.

All of them have been in fine form in this tournament - with Jayawardene too getting runs in the previous two matches - and are capable of producing match-winning innings. They have come out successful from sticky situations, amply exemplified in their fivewicket win over New Zealand after reeling at 27 for four at one stage.

With a partisan home crowd expected to fully occupy the Premadasa Stadium on a Sunday, Sri Lanka could make things difficult for the Indians. Muthiah Muralitharan, who claimed a world record 7-30 in that Sharjah final, will once again be at the helm of the Sri Lankan bowling to haunt the Indians. He will have able company in Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando and Kumar Dharmasena who have been troubling the opposition batsman a lot in this series.

Both teams will announce their final eleven tomorrow.

The teams (from):

India: Sourav Ganguly (captain), Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Shewag, Hemang Badani, Yuvraj Singh, Amay Khurasia, Reetinder Singh Sodhi, Sameer Dighe, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar and Rahul Sanghvi.

Sri Lanka: Sanath Jayasuriya (captain), Marvan Atapattu, Mahela Jayawardene, Romesh Kaluwitharana, Kumar Sangakkara, Russel Arnold, Muttiah Muralitharan, Kumar Dharmasena, Chaminda Vaas, Dulip Liyanage, Avishka Gunawardene, Suresh Perera, Dilhara Fernando and Dinusha Fernando.