Asia Cup 2008

Asia Cup: India vs Sri Lanka – Match Preview

In their last league match of the Asia Cup, both Sri Lanka and India face each other what might have been a potential dress rehersal of the final. But India’s loss to Pakistan last night has spiced things up which means that India now need atleast a victory against the Islanders to make sure that they get to the finals.

Live Score

This is because although their run rate is still positive, they have four points and are second in the table. A loss to Sri Lanka will further reduce their run rate and if Pakistan win against Bangladesh on Friday, then there is a distinct possibility that they will edge India out of the finals.

Team India is themselves to blame for this predicament as they threw away their wickets while batting first to needless shots ending up some 20-30 runs short of the intended target. But even then 309 isn’t an easy chase and they bowled even badly than they batted, bowling on the pads and conceding a majority of runs behind the wicket. They need to find a new balance to the team which might be able to do the job against the Lankans.

Sri Lanka on their part, can play a game of poker. They can pick their best eleven and beat India, thus helping Pakistan to qualify as the hosts will be easier to beat in the finals. On the other hand, they cannot risk playing against the mercurial Pakistanis who surprise everyone, so they can play a weak side against India and let them qualify, and then turn on the heat on them in the final with a full strength squad. But india is a very tough proposition and they won’t be easy either in today’s match or in the finals.

Tags: Asia Cup 2008, India, sri lanka, super fours