 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Indian will have to be wary of Malinga's yorkers
With the World Cup final barely hours away, here's a look at the key clashes expected when Asian giants Sri Lanka and India meet.
Lasith Malinga vs Virender Sehwag
Malinga (11 wickets/economy rate 5.74) will get an opening burst against Sehwag (380 runs/54.28 average) and Sachin Tendulkar (464/58.00), although in the semi-final against New Zealand it lasted only six balls.
He is the fastest bowler on either side by some margin although his real danger to the Indian batting will come later in the innings where his vicious, inswinging yorkers can defeat any batsman however well set.
On his day, Sehwag can take the game away from the opposition as he did against Bangladesh and threatened to do against Pakistan in the semi-finals.
It will be guile vs power
Muttiah Muralitharan vs Yuvraj Singh
Muralitharan (15/4.00) will drive his failing body through one last 10-over stint in the international game before he retires with the most wickets in test and one-day cricket.
If his deliveries lack the snap and fizz of his vintage days, the mind is still as sharp as ever and the will as strong.
Left-hander Yuvraj (341/85.25) is the key man in the Indian middle order, although he was dismissed first ball against Pakistan, and has won four man-of-the-match awards for his all-round ability.
Zaheer a master craftsman
Zaheer Khan vs Tillakaratne Dilshan
Zaheer (19/4.67) is a master of his craft with the new ball and the old. He can swing and cut the new ball and reverse swing the old while possessing an infinite number of pace variations.
Dilshan (467/66.71) is in wonderful form and tops the tournament's batting aggregates. He has the enviable Sri Lankan knack of finding the boundary without exerting undue effort.
Bhajji will be key to India's success
Harbhajan Singh vs Kumar Sangakkara
Harbhajan (8/4.41) was back to his best against Pakistan when he dismissed Pakistan's two most dangerous strikers Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi. He remains the fulcrum of India's spin attack.
Sangkakkara (417/104.25) is a master craftsman who keeps the scoreboard ticking over when the bowlers are on top and accelerates without apparent effort when the time is ripe.
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.