Asia Cup - India v/s Sri Lanka

India and Sri Lanka both already qualified for the Final, this game will have no impact on the outcome of the Asia Cup 2010 but a win before big finale in always considered as morale booster that is what both teams will look for when they take on each other in the last league game of Asia Cup 2010.

As Harbhajan Singh stated in the press conference on the eve of the game, that India is hoping to go out home an unbeaten from this tournament. Their confidence is already boosted by the fact that they are back at number two rank team in ICC ODI ranking table and their captain is back at number one position after a two superb innings in the tournament.

India is already on back-foot with Virendra Sehwag ruling out of the series because of hamstring, his replacement Dinesh Karthik so far has done very little justice to his selection in the tournament he has played so far recently. In the 45 ODI’s he averages 28.96. With Yuvraj Singh not in the middle order, the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli need some runs under their belt to boost confidence before going into the final of Asia Cup 2010.

Sri Lanka on the other hand looks more settled team and is confidence of winning the last two games to once again win Asia Cup title by beating the same old team India. Both teams has played so much cricket that there is nothing new to be known for any side. All in all it will be another great game of cricket between India and Sri Lanka at Rangiri Dambulla international stadium.

Watch Out The Match For Our Lovely Cricketers

Gautam Gambhir:- Since return to the India team he is in superb tough in Asia Cup 2010 and he would love to continue his good form in another two game to help India to guide to yet another triumph.

T. M. Dilshan:- He is one of the dangerous batsmen to look out for. So far he looked good in Zimbabweas well as in Asia Cup. With some aggressive batting at top helped Sri Lanka to score freely and Sri Lanka will hope for another brisk inning from him at top order.

Pitch & Condition

The Pitch at Rangiri international stadium, Dambulla will be same as used in previous game against Pakistan and Bangladesh where Pakistan manage to score 385 runs, however by considering two tough team score between 280-290 runs on the card. Team winning the toss would once again love to bat first.

Teams

Since both team already qualified for the Final, so it’s likely that both team will test their bench strength. With Virendra Sehwag already put of Asia Cup, Dinesh Karthik is likely to be open the inning with Gambhir.

In bowling department, India may give chance to Ashok Dinda in place of Ashish Nehra and R.Ashwin in place off Harbhajan Singh. Similarly, Sri Lanka may rest M.Muralitharan and L.Malinga and bring S.Randiv as well as F.Mehroof in place of both.

Likely Playing XI for both Teams:-

India Squad: Dinesh Karthik, Gautham Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (Captain/WK), Ravindra Jadeja, R.Ashwin, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Ashok Dinda.

Sri Lanka Squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara (Captain), Mahela Jayawardene, Thilina Kandamby, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Farveez Maharoof, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suraj Randiv, Chanaka Welegedera.

Stats

India and Pakistan have played eight times in the Asia cup with India managing to win three while loosing four to Pakistan.

Shoaib Malik and Salman Butt has phenomenal record against India with both batsmen scored their most of the centuries against arch-rivals India.