It's just a matter of hours now before the entire nation comes to a halt, all those cricket crazy Indian's get glued to their TV sets with expecting eyes, staying up all night hoping their team reaches the super eight.
It is a crunch game and the opponents their sub continent rivals (Sri Lanka), millions will be sleepless, wishing time and again for the 'men in blue' somehow get through - but hold on, what if they disappoint, do we have the heart to take that, perhaps not. India went into the World Cup as title favorites and noting short would be sufficient for the fanatics here.
Considering stats and the recent performances head to head, Indians will surely take heart - India has won 49 of the 94 ODI played between the two nations, with a blistering eight games out of the recent 10. However, the numbers are of least significance as matches are won with team performance on the given day and not by previous stats or team strength on paper.
Both sides are well balanced, but Sri Lanka edge out the Indian's on their performance in the World Cup so far. The game involves two better sides in the tournament and is built into a virtual final for the Indians, who have all to play for, if the contention for the title is to be maintained or will face the fate similar to Pakistan.
Crucial Pointers for the game:
The toss will be crucial, Rahul Dravid made the mistake of calling to Bat having won the toss against Bangladesh. India are well of chasing and have won vital games chasing therefore should back themselves here too.
Chaminda Vass the experienced campaigner and Lasith Malinga the growing talent off late will be critical to deal for the wary Indian batting order up-front, while the lethal twists of Muttiah Muralitharan is a threat later.
If Lankans played the same Bangladeshi squad that got the Indian tigers perched, then that blistering knock form Jayasuria and its resurgent middle order effort, will be vibrant in the minds of the Indian think tank.
Teams:
India (likely) 1 Sourav Ganguly, 2 Virender Sehwag, 3 Irfan Pathan, 4 Sachin Tendulkar, 5 Rahul Dravid (capt), 6 Yuvraj Singh, 7 Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), 8 Ajit Agarkar, 9 Harbhajan Singh, 10 Zaheer Khan, 11 Munaf Patel
Sri Lanka (likely) 1 Upul Tharanga, 2 Sanath Jayasuriya, 3 Mahela Jayawardene (capt), 4 Kumar Sangakkara (wk), 5 Chamara Silva, 6 Russel Arnold, 7 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 8 Chaminda Vaas, 9 Farveez Maharoof, 10 Muttiah Muralitharan, 11 Lasith Malinga
Team India looks well equipped to take on Sri Lanka, nothing will be easy for either side. If Sri Lanka has the aforementioned advantages, India too has plenty and we all know them - but one weakness overshadows all, in words of cricket laureate Navjot Singh Sidhu - Team India is like a cycle stand one falls the whole row goes tumbling down.
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