SINGAPORE, SEPT 6: While 900 million Indians await with great expectation the outcome of the general elections which got under way with the first phase of voting on Sunday, similar sentiments are anticipated when the national cricket team troops out tomorrow at the Kallang Oval to test its skills against West Indies for the Singapore Challenge Cup.A victory in the summit clash for Sachin Tendulkar's men would be a soothing succour to the mounting injuries and fitness woes plaguing the team. Reeling from the absence of vice-captain Ajay Jadeja to a calf muscle injury, the Indian middle-order suddenly looks fragile. For, there are few substitutes who can match Jadeja's ability to activate the run-machine. As a result, the Indian think-tank will be forced to pitch-fork Saurav Ganguly in the middle leaving Sadagopan Ramesh to open the innings with Tendulkar.With Amay Khurasiya and Vinod Kambli yet to prove their worth, the batting onus would rest on the top five along with Robin Singh. Though Kambliappeared to be in good touch during his short stay in the rain-curtailed encounter on Sunday, Khurasiya might still edge him out on the basis of his fielding ability.On Tuesday, it would be a trial of strength for the Indian batsmen who would be up against quality pace bowling. The West Indian quicks, led by the indefatigable Courtney Walsh, have been able to generate a fair amount of bounce from this track which is a cause for concern for the Indians. A glimmer of hope, however, lies in the fact that the Caribbeans are known to be generous with extras.All said and done, if the Indian batsmen manage to make an impact as they did against Zimbabwe, then the West Indies might have to be content with two victories. Because, the Indian bowling department too has functioned fairly well considering the fact that the 22-yard strip is a batting beauty.The spin trio of Sunil Joshi, Nikhil Chopra and Anil Kumble coupled with the pace of Debasis Mohanty and Venkatesh Prasad could be a line-up that Tendulkar willbe tempted to use against an opposition whose Achille's heel lies in tackling the spinners.While going to toss tomorrow with Tendulkar, Brian Lara carries the psychological advantages of not only having upstaged a depleted India but also having played a full game of 50 overs. Tendulkar might not be unduly worried about yesterday's defeat but will have points to ponder as his team has featured in only 30-overs-a-side games owing to intermittent showers. A sunny day on Monday augurs well for the final but trust the locals, who always carry an umbrella, when they say, ``You never know when it will rain in Singapore.''The West Indies, who had rested Walsh and opener Sherwin Campbell yesterday, would also be keen to begin the season with a title win after a lacklusture World Cup. So far, the Calypsos have been drumming up a winning beat, it remains to be seen whether they can extend it further and make the Indians rock for the second time. They would be banking on Lara's theme as much as the Indians will onTendulkar's tune. Do we need to say who the protagonists of the finale would be?TEAMS (FROM)INDIA: Sachin Tendulkar (captain), Saurav Ganguly, Sadagoppan Ramesh, Rahul Dravid, Amay Khurasiya, Vinod Kambli, Robin Singh, Sunil Joshi, MSK Prasad, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Nikhil Chopra, Anil Kumble, Venkatesh Prasad and Debashis Mohanty.WEST INDIES: Brian Lara (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Ridley Jacobs, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jimmy Adams, Ricardo Powell, Wavell Hinds, Adrian Griffith, Nixon McLean, Nehemiah Perry, Hendy Bryan, Mervyn Dillon, Reon King and Courtney Walsh.UMPIRES: Rudi Koertzen, Darrel Hair and S RiazuddinMATCH REFEREE: Ranjan Madugalle.MATCH TIMINGS: 7.20 am onwards (IST)
