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 Kolkata, Nov 17:
Having learnt their lessons from the Australian mauling in the first
15 overs, India hinted of going into the tri-series cricket final
tomorrow with three pacemen to plug the bowling loopholes. India
have twice conceded over 100 runs in the first 15 overs against the
Australians, the last time in the tri-series match at Bangalore, and
captain Sourav Ganguly does not want a repeat of that in the final
at any cost. "We have to bowl well in the first 15 overs. This
is an area which is in our mind. We have not bowled well against the
Aussies in the initial overs in the tournament so far," Ganguly
said here today.
Though the Indians
are yet to finalise their playing eleven, Ganguly gave enough
indication that a third speedster may be included in the team for
the first time in the tri-series. "There is a good chance of
India including three pace bowlers in the playing eleven," he
said. The Indian skipper also brushed aside speculation over his
fitness saying "there is not really any chance of me not
playing the final".
 Ganguly, who pulled
his groin muscle during the November 15 game against New Zealand at
Hyderabad, said he was "improving every day" and was
hoping to regain full fitness before the start of the match. Ganguly
also scotched reports in a section of the press that left-arm seamer
Zaheer Khan was injured and the team management was considering
flying in Irfan Pathan as a replacement. "Zaheer is fully
fit," he said. Ganguly said tomorrow's encounter was between
the "two best one-day sides in the world" and should
produce a "keen contest".
On the Eden wicket,
Ganguly said the strip looked good for a one-day game but added he
was not sure whether the track would turn as the game progresses.
"The wicket looks well-rolled and well-prepared." The
Indian skipper also did not think that the game would be decided by
the toss. "There is a lot of dew here at this time of the year.
So, whatever advantage the team batting first gets, will be
nullified by the dew factor. I think the conditions are even for
both sides."
Ganguly did not
agree to the suggestion that India had failed to keep the momentum
against the Aussies after winning at Gwalior. "One-day game is
anybody's game. Whoever plays well on the day of the match wins.
Australia batted well at Mumbai and Bangalore. In the last match we
did get 290. In limited over games, there is not much chance of
making a comeback once you fall behind at the start."
(Agencies)
Published: Monday, November 17, 2003
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