Joshi unfit, compounds to Indian woes

The match exposed the major problems plaguing the Indian team as their inexperienced bowlers allowed the Sri Lankans to post a solid total while the batsmen, barring Sachin Tendulkar failed to click.

And now with their fortunes on the line, the Indians will have to improve their performance by several notches if they want to beat Pakistan.

A comprehensive victory against the arch-rivals will not only salvage a final berth but will also bring focus back to actual cricket after the recent muck raking over the match-fixing scandal.

The Bangabandhu Stadium has been lucky for the Indians as they scored one of their best victories against the old rivals – in the Independance Cup two years ago.

In that match, the Indians successfully chased a then World record total of 314 in a thriller to claim the trophy. Ganguly struck a superb 124 while Tendulkar and Robin Singh contributed 41 and 82 runs respectively as India scored 316 for 7 to win the best of three finals 2-1.

If India are to win again, both Ganguly and Tendulkar will have to come up with big scores to help set a massive target for Pakistan as the Indian bowling looks inferior to the rival attack led by Wasim Akram. The Indian middle order will also have to shoulder some of the responsibility and the skipper will definitely look for a good performance from both Azharuddin and Jadeja.

Both coach Kapil Dev and skipper Ganguly will also have to stop their experimenting and go for conventional methods by handing over the gloves to wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia, flown in as replacement for the injured Saba Karim, as it would be too much for Dravid to share the batting responsibilities along with those of ‘keeping.

The Indian hopes have been dealt a blow with left arm spinner Sunil Joshi down with dehydration. Team manager Samiran Chakraborty said he is under observation and is a doubtful starter for the match.

Hinting that the players needed some rest after three consecutive days of play, coach Kapil Dev said the team will not report for net practice and instead will go for swimming at the hotel and some other exercises.

The match will also be crucial for Pakistan as a victory will seal their final berth ahead of their last league match against Sri Lanka.

Skipper Moin Khan has already vowed that his team will be looking forward to avenging the 1998 defeat and will hope his batsmen especially opener Saeed Anwar, who scored a superb 140 in the third final of the Independence Cup, comes up with a good performance.

Anwar, who is returning to the team after missing the recent West Indies tour because of a knee surgery, has always done well against India and a good knock from him could set India a stiff target to chase and considering the Indian problems against the Sri Lankans, it would not be something Ganguly will relish. (PTI)