To win a cricket match, you require one of two things - at least. The first is a phenomenal performance by an individual. In the present scenario, I don't see anyone in the present team being in the right form to produce such a performance. The second option is a team performance that covers our own inadequacies and exposes the opponents. Jayasuriya has been patchy against India and Zaheer especially. Tharanga is a bit of stand and deliver player. Jayawardene struggled to gain fluency against Bermuda as well. The real danger is Sangakkara; if he gets going, the only way to get him out is to wait for him to commit a mistake. I do not necessarily see SL's bowling as being anything more than consistent. If one magic ball to one of our batsmen causes our downfall then the others should commit suicide. On the other hand, we lack top order consistency and, contrary to reason as this might sound, Uthappa has experience facing up to Maharoof and Malinga and should be in the top order. The one change from Bermuda's match would be Harbhajan in for Kumble, since there are a number of left handers in SL's lineup. We then have to ensure that we cover our fielding inadequacy with extra runs and expose SL's inadequacy against good swing bowling and collapsing under pressure. This does not sound straightforward given our current form, but looks much more likely than a single glorious performance.
However, if we do contrive to lose tomorrow, I won't be shedding tears because a team ridden with superiority complex, shambolic attitude and a lack of any regiment deserves to suffer. Also, it will teach a lesson to all those advertisers and television channels who've made our lives such hell by running nonsensical and idiotic cricket shows and sections. I know someone might say "then why watch those channels"; the problem is any channel you turn on has the rubbish blaring out.
All in all, I know we've underperformed and lack basic cricketing skills required at the highest levels. However, I also hope that all those 250-odd wickets or million-odd run records mean something in tomorrow's match.
On an honestly unrelated note, I fear for Greg Chappell, should we lose tomorrow :).. Alright, it was a pun!!
