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Tough task, but India ready for final: Tendulkar

Ashish Shukla | July 29, 2004 19:03 IST

Beating Sri Lanka at home on a difficult wicket would be a tough task but star batsman Sachin Tendulkar says India are "ready" to take on the hosts in the Asia Cup final on Sunday.

"It's a tough task for us; a difficult proposition for us since they know these conditions better than anyone else," said Tendulkar, after the Indian team went through extensive fielding drills at a local cricket ground in Colombo on Thursday.

"These are different wickets. The ball is stopping a bit. They know exactly how to play on these tracks," said the 31-year-old batting genius.

"The advantage is with them. But we will be ready for them. When you play international cricket you learn to adapt to different conditions and wickets."

Tendulkar also draws heart from India's last-gasp victory in the last round-robin game against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

"We fought till the end in the last game. We do hope to do well in the final."

Tendulkar was taken by surprise when told that he is the second highest wicket-taker for India in the tournament.

"I didn't know about it. I have been enjoying my bowling and it hasn't been bad so far."

He also brushed aside the suggestion that there are differences in the team.

"At the end of the day, the positives have outnumbered the negatives."

Indian captain Sourav Ganguly also said his side would have to be at its best to get past Sri Lanka in the final.   

"They would be reinforced by the return of their main bowlers, Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan. They would be a better side in the final."

Ganguly expressed satisfaction with his batting in the tournament thus far and said he hopes to play a big innings in the summit clash.

"I've been in good nick. I will try to do my best in the final but at the end of the day it is important we click in the final together as a team."


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