India looking to break final jinx

Will they be ninth time lucky? That is the question confronting the Indians as they go into the final of the triangular one-day series against South Africa in Durban on Friday.

India have lost the last eight final matches they have figured in -- a dubious record indeed. That jinx has returned to haunt the Indians as they seek to do away with the tag of chokers.

Their road to the final has been one of ups and downs, though the win that actually got them into the final was pretty emphatic -- a 186-run routing of Kenya in the last league match on Wednesday night at Paarl.

But more than their form and performance, it would be their nerves and the ability to leave the past behind that would really be the key to India's fate in Friday's game.

Ganguly reflected the mood of his team when he said they were in a position to win all the three games against South Africa in the league stage of the tournament.

"In all the three games against South Africa, we were in a position to win. We beat them at Centurion and then in the other two matches (at Wanderers and East London) we were in a position we could have won," said Ganguly.

Almost all the vital players have looked in excellent touch in this tournament. Even though they had a 50-50 record in the six league matches, the Indians stood out for their individual brilliance. And now, more than ever before, they need to click as a unit.

India need to strike up a balance in the team. They have been trying too many things in this tournament, without much success. The idea of asking Rahul Dravid to keep wickets while keeping out the regular wicketkeeper so that an an extra specialist batsman can be included was very strange.

It proved to be harmless against Kenya but the same move can backfire severely and prove suicidal against a top-class side like South Africa. Wicketkeeping is a specialist job and it is better that specialists do it. Hopefully, rookie stumper Deep Dasgupta will again find himself behind the stumps on Friday, even if that means a few runs less to the Indian total.

Dravid had a mixed game against Kenya on Thursday, when he effected two stumpings and a run-out but was also guilty of conceding 11 byes. His keeping, particularly against his state mate Anil Kumble, was not upto the mark.

Though Ganguly didn't commit himself on the continuation of Dravid as a wicketkeeper in the final, it is more or less certain Dravid would be providing the dual role on Friday.

As it is, even with the inclusion of the wicketkeeper, the Indian batting order is a formidable one. It defies logic why a batting order boasting the likes of Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, V V S Laxman - and now Virendra Sehwag - needs extra cushioning.

Ganguly and Tendulkar are in top form, having scored two hundreds each and raised three century partnerships in the tournament so far. They are fresh from a world record opening wicket stand of 258 against Kenya, on Thursday. They would be required to play something similar if India hope to score a big total.

Both Ganguly and Tendulkar have cleverly mixed caution with aggression. They haven't gone after every ball, neither have they let a bad delivery go unpunished even if it came from a Shaun Pollock. In fact, India have had far better opening wicket stands against South Africa than against Kenya in this tournament.

That partnerhsip would once again be vital. Either of the two, if not both, would have to try for another big hundred.

"It is good to score runs but then those games are past and in the next game you start again from zero," said Ganguly.

However, the major problem lies after these two have batted. Except for Thursday's game against Kenya, India's record in the last 10 overs hasn't been great.

That is one area the Indians need to improve considerably. Sehwag did an excellent job against Kenya on Thursday, smashing 55 off 23 balls, but he needs to be a bit more consistent and selective with his shots.

It would be interesting to see who comes out to bat at the crucial number three position. Both Laxman and Dravid can stay at the wicket for a long time and play a big innings but Laxman is probably capable of hitting the big ones more often than Dravid.

Yuvraj Singh and Reetinder Singh Sodhi haven't exactly been able to justify the opportunities provided to them. They need to put a much higher price tag on their wickets. Friday is a big game and a great opportunity to make an impression.

It remains to be seen how the batting performs at Kingsmead, which has the reputaton of being the fastest track in South Africa.

India have limited choices in the bowling department, with Javagal Srinath, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh almost certain to play. A lot would depend on the initial overs by the medium-pacers. If they can keep a check on the scoring rate and also take one or two wickets, it would be an ideal scenario for Kumble and Harbhajan to weave their magic.

To a very large extent, Sehwag has solved Ganguly's concerns of a fifth bowler and he again would have a crucial role to perform with the ball.

There is no dearth of talent in the Indian side but, as said earlier, they need to click as a team against a formidable opposition like the South Africans, who are enjoying a nice time in international cricket.

The hosts are an extremely formidable side with quite a few cricketers able to perform the dual role with the bat and ball.

Except for one loss against India, the South Africans have had a smooth ride to the final and clearly have been the best of the three teams on display.

"Our intensity has picked up quite a bit," said Pollock. "It's a big occasion and there is a motivation to do well."

South Africa had appeared in irresistable form in their last league game of the series against Kenya at Newlands where they amassed 354 for three on way to a record 208-run win.

Pollock was banking on his rediscovered fast bowler Mornantau Hayward, who bowled with genuine speed against the Kenyans.

"He bowled with good control and good speed (against Kenyans). He is an important part of our set-up. It is something we need."

India's tour of South Africa : Complete coverage

Mail Cricket Editor