Confident India aim to sustain momentum

Sourav Ganguly refuses to get overly excited about the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2002. He knows that the weight of a nation's expectations rests on his shoulders. He also knows that India have had one of their better years in recent times and wants to cap it with a big win. The infusion of youth, the clever adjustment of roles, the well thought out inputs of coach John Wright and the hard work of Andrew Leipus and Adrian le Roux have made India a fighting unit. Yet Ganguly knows that all this can be undone if Sri Lanka have one excellent day at home.

"They're a different side at home and that is the key to this game. We've had a good record against them in the last seven matches or so. Tomorrow is the key game," said Ganguly after a practice session at the R Premadasa stadium here in Colombo. He quickly added, "It's another game for us. We've played well so far and we'll try to keep the momentum going."

Sri Lanka's massive home advantage was well exhibited in their semifinal against Australia. With precise field settings and controlled spin bowling that sustained a particular line, the Lankans extracted the most of a slow, low wicket. And the wickets have been a source of much discussion. Ricky Ponting, after Australia's loss, said simply, "The wicket was too slow and turned too much for a one-day wicket."

Ganguly, however, showed no surprise at the way the wicket had behaved in the semifinal. "We all knew that ball would turn early against Australia and weren't surprised at all. It was the only chance of winning for Sri Lanka. I think it's going to be a different story tomorrow," he said. When pressed about the kind of wicket he expected to be playing on, Ganguly said, "I think it will be a good batting wicket."

And you can bet it will be a belter. Perhaps a touch on the slower side, but certainly not one that turns so much early on. The Indians are far better players of spin than the Aussies and do have in their bowling ranks the likes of Harbhajan Singh, who would be more than a handful on a wicket that helps spinners.

This is likely to bring the game back to the batting spectacle that many matches in the subcontinent end up being. The Indians will not mind that at all. Ganguly was clear in his mind that India had the upper hand when it came to batting.

"I don't agree with the statement that the batting of both sides is the same. Bowling might be the same but definitely not the batting. We'll find out tomorrow which team is superior. In this game there's no point talking too much. We score runs in all conditions and that's an important thing," said Ganguly.

As before the semifinal, the main worry for the Indians remains the bowling department. Some might say, however, that the injury to Ashish Nehra is a blessing in disguise as it opens up a spot for Javagal Srinath. "Sri is coming in this afternoon and is very much in contention," said Ganguly.

The skipper was quick to add that Srinath's call up did not mean that the team lacked faith in Ajit Agarkar's ability. "It's not a question of a lack of faith in Ajit. If you're a 14-member squad and one of the guys is injured you would call a replacement. It would be the same if I or another batsman was injured. You never know what's going to happen. If you have only two fast bowlers and one falls ill on the morning of the match you're stuck," explained Ganguly.

The other aspect of India's game that is perpetually a source of debate is that little man Sachin Tendulkar and where he should bat. Should he open and plunder the bowling? Or stay at number four and shoulder more responsibility? From waiters to tri-shaw drivers to strangers on the street - everyone asks you that here in Colomb.

"Sachin will play at four. Unnecessarily we put pressure on him. He's the best player in the world. He's scored 63 international hundreds. Every time he fails in two games people say he is out of form which I think is ridiculous," said Ganguly, ending all debate for the moment.

The Indian skipper was relaxed and totally at ease on the eve of the sold-out, blockbuster final. It was clear that he had come to grips with handling the constant pressure that he as the skipper is under. He knows you can not win all the time and savours what success has come his way.

"Getting to the final is an achievement. Of the last seven Champions Trophy games, we've won six. This is the second time we're reaching the final of this tournament and that in itself is a good achievement. What happens tomorrow is part and parcel of life," he observed.

The last time India played a one-day tournament here they were defeated in the final by Sri Lanka. When asked whether memories of that game still haunted him, Ganguly could not suppress a laugh: "Let me put it this way. The NatWest final haunts me more!"

Now you know for sure that the Indians are relaxed, well prepared and confident. All they need to do is execute, and the Champions Trophy could be theirs.

Sourav Ganguly (Captain), Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Kaif, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Javagal Srinath.