Ahead of final hurdle, Indians in a final huddle

Ganguly was apparently referring to India’s dismal record against Australia in the last one year. They lost the World Cup final before being humiliated at home in a tri-series summit clash. In the triangular series here, India have lost three matches to the hosts while winning just one in the league round.

But the India skipper was positive about the finals saying “we have all improved over the last couple of months. If we can finish it off well, it would be a nice way to go back home.”

Kumble tried his very best in order to be able to play his part in this crucial phase of India’s campaign, bowling and throwing at the nets this morning, but he would have to sit out considering his long-term fitness prospects. Kumble is the only fitness worry for the Indians now and Ganguly would have a complete bunch of cricketers to pick from though it is unlikely his choice would deviate much from the straight and tested.

Much as the likes of Hemang Badani and Ashish Nehra have done to establish their credentials, it is unlikely Ganguly would tamper with his trusted line-up. Badani played a match-winning hand against Zimbabwe at Perth on Tuesday but he is unlikely to be preferred ahead of Rohan Gavaskar who has been solid and consistent, if not spectacular.

Nehra is clearly lagging behind Irfan Pathan and L Balaji in the stakes for the medium-pacers’ berth and his chances are not helped with the form of Ajit Agarkar.

Agarkar’s bowling has been the story of this tour and as he showed against Australia in Perth on Sunday, he has lost none of the art of wicket-taking against the world champions. The wiry Mumbai bowler has taken only nine wickets in the series but all of them have come against Australia, that too in just two games.