India v Sri Lanka, Asia Cup Final, Karachi, 6th July

India to choke once again in the finals as they've been doing so expertly during last 8-10 years.

Since defeating them in SL independence cup in '98, India have lost 4 consecutive finals to SL.

Why do I do it? WHY?

I know we are going to choke and lose yet another ODI final. Yet I keep on watching us in these stupid finals, take a day off work in the foolish hope that we might finally overcome our jinx (!?) FFS. I need to bash my head against a brick wall.

Oh well, prepare yourselves for more punishment and despair tomorrow guys.

Why punishment or despair LG? This is a fairly new team with almost 7-8 players completely inexperienced. I've adopted a viewpoint that if they do well, I'm glad thinking that the future is going to be bright as these players gain experience. And if they lose, I think it is a learning curve for them which'll only make them better in future.

Hence neither am I overjoyed at the victories nor am I terribly disappointed at the loss. Had any of the senior players been involved, my POV would have been diiferent!

Oh well, prepare yourselves for more punishment and despair tomorrow guys.

I've already prepared myself mentally for the result.

This is a fairly new team with almost 7-8 players completely inexperienced.

Even this new and fresh team couldn't resist taking the same old habit of choking from their seniors.

BTW, Yuvraj is one player who has suffered all those 4 defeats from SL in the finals I mentioned.

Chandan wrote: I've adopted a viewpoint that if they do well, I'm glad thinking that the future is going to be bright as these players gain experience. And if they lose, I think it is a learning curve for them which'll only make them better in future.

You are correct with everything you said Chandan and kudos to you for looking at the bigger picture, but I personally find it hard to be as objective after so many disappointments in the past. I too realize that this is a learning phase for the newbies, but it won't soften the blow of disappointment for me if we lose. We sure have missed out on quite a few trophies thanks to our choking habit

Is it safe to assume that we're way ahead of SA when it comes to choking in crunch matches?

It is safe to assume that SL will win the final simply because they have a far better bowling attack than ours which is suited to the current conditions! So just enjoy the performance from these youngsters if there are any.

Speaking of tomorrow's final against SL, India better be beware of Jaya.

In the 4 finals I mentioned above, Jaya has scores of 189, 99, 15, and 67 thats 370 runs in 4 innings @ 92.5!!!

Get him early then may be we may just start to think better about our chances of restricting SL to somewhat manageable total.

Also one thing we may just do is to atleast win the toss in the final and set a total for SL as in all those 4 matches SL has batted us out of the match except the last Asia cup final in '04 where we couldn't even chase 228.

SG wrote:Is it safe to assume that we're way ahead of SA when it comes to choking in crunch matches?

Yep. This link is a bit old but still relevant : http://content-www.cricinfo.com/columns/content/story/260766.html

Indian to win against all odds (n of course SL)

Hope the Karachi crowd supports India

Chandan wrote:And if they lose, I think it is a learning curve for them which'll only make them better in future.

how does losing make anyone better? if it did we would be world champions now

i think india has a good chance, a real flat pitch works to our strength more. a low, slow spinning track and we would be pretty screwed

the key imo will be how we handle murali and mendis. the middle overs will decide the match

Try and give Gambhir the strike when the spinners are on and keep Yuvi off it. We should win then.

My bold prediction

If SL win the toss and bat first then IND will lose.
If MS Dhoni wins the toss he will let SL bat first and SL will win.

the only way IND can win is if they bat 1st.

Is it me or do India have too many good ODI batsman? What's the first choice line-up when Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid come back? I suppose the only obvious one is Tendulkar coming in for Gambhir?

Or they could make the big decision and end Dravid's ODI career. If they don't do that (more likely), which two do they drop out of Sehwag, Raina, Yuvraj, Sharma and Yusuf to make way for Dravid and Ganguly?

Surely they will build the team around Raina and Sharma? They both look class to me. And what about the other Pathan? Does he come in for Kumar?

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:Is it me or do India have too many good ODI batsman? What's the first choice line-up when Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid come back? I suppose the only obvious one is Tendulkar coming in for Gambhir?

Or they could make the big decision and end Dravid's ODI career. If they don't do that (more likely), which two do they drop out of Sehwag, Raina, Yuvraj, Sharma and Yusuf to make way for Dravid and Ganguly?

Surely they will build the team around Raina and Sharma? They both look class to me. And what about the other Pathan? Does he come in for Kumar?

Due to his current form Dravid is a liabililty to the ODI team so i don't think he will ever be back. Sourav on the other hand is still a fairly good ODI batsman but i am guessing they don't want him because a) He is a bad fielder b) They are grooming the side for the 2011 world cup

Tendulkar is obviously too good to be dropped and will come back in place of Rohit.

Yeah? Do you reckon Dravid and Ganguly will announce their retirement from ODI cricket soon to save them the embarrassment of being dropped?

Tendulkar for Sharma? Surely not. Surely Sachin for Gambhir.

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:Yeah? Do you reckon Dravid and Ganguly will announce their retirement from ODI cricket soon to save them the embarrassment of being dropped?

Tendulkar for Sharma? Surely not. Surely Sachin for Gambhir.

No i think they should stick around until the likes of Rohit and Raina are developed.

GG is in great form so it will be very unfair to drop him. They should just have Sachin and Sehwag open the batting with GG coming in at #3. Should be a very hard team to beat in the CT.

Sharma and Raina look a bit rubbish to me.

That's because you're stupid. And one-eyed.

Lara Lara Laughs wrote:That's because you're stupid. And one-eyed.

Oooh brilliant response. Really backs up your point.

Sharma and Raina have both been rubbish so far. Neither has done anything.

It's not a "response". I'm just telling you why you think what you do. If they were Australian, you'd be jerking your gherkin at every opportunity.

Rubbish so far at what? I'm talking about their technique and composure, both of which I'm impressed with. At 21 they're both very talented and look class.