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Pressure will be on Sri Lanka: Dravid

August 08, 2005 20:40 IST

India captain Rahul Dravid [Images] believes Sri Lanka [Images], who have won three of their four matches in the tournament, will be the side under pressure going into the triangular series final in Colombo on Tuesday.

India booked their place in the showpiece match with a seven-run victory against West Indies [Images] on Sunday and now face the task of beating Sri Lanka for the first time in the tournament.

"Sri Lanka are a dangerous side but this is a final and the pressure is obviously going to be on them," Dravid told reporters.

"They are the form team of the tournament and they are going to be expected to win at home. Hopefully we can have a good day and create some more pressure for them."

After being beaten twice in five days by the hosts, India have been boosted by the news that former captain Sourav Ganguly [Images] did not fracture his arm on Sunday.

Opener Ganguly was hit by a short ball from Daren Powell [Images] and had to retire hurt against West Indies but he is now expected to play on Tuesday.

"The x-rays revealed no structural damage and only some soft tissue damage so he should be fine," coach Greg Chappell [Images] told reporters.

Chappell admitted the failure of India's top order in the tournament had been worrying but backed his players to turn things around in the final.

"The top order batting has been a concern but Yuvraj [Singh] showed yesterday that there is no reason why good players cannot get runs out there," Chappell said.

SELECTION DILEMMA

"The guys at the top of the order are all keen to make runs and I am reasonably comfortable with where we are at the moment."

India's main selection dilemma will be whether to include two spinners after leg spinner Anil Kumble [Images] returned from the sidelines to take 3 for 38 on Sunday.

"Playing two spinners is definitely an option we have but we will need to take a closer look at the pitch," Dravid said.

Sri Lankan left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas [Images], who has yet to play in the tournament, is also set to make his comeback after recovering from a hamstring injury.

"I have been playing so many matches and my mind is strong enough for me to come back after injury and perform straightaway," Vaas told reporters.

Vaas's return will mean either fast bowler Dilhara Fernando or all rounder Dilhara Lokuhettige will be dropped.

Teams:

Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya [Images], Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara (wicketkeeper), Mahela Jayawardene [Images], Tillakaratne Dilshan, Russel Arnold, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Upul Chandana, Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Farveez Maharoof, Muttiah Muralitharan, Dilhara Fernando, Lasith Malinga [Images].

India: Rahul Dravid (captain), Virender Sehwag [Images], Saurav Ganguly [Images], V V S Laxman, Yuvraj Singh [Images], Mohammed Kaif, Suresh Raina, Venugopala Rao, J P Yadav, M S Dhoni [Images] (wicketkeeper), Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh [Images], Irfan Pathan [Images], Zaheer Khan [Images], Lakshmipathy Balaji, Ashish Nehra.

 


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