The crown jewel of the continent is on the line, but
the two teams vying for it have distinct goals going into the championship
game. India is eager to experience what it feels like to hold a multi-team
trophy after winning the Asia Cup in 2018. Despite just qualifying for the ODI
World Cup through the qualifiers, No. 8 in the ODI rankings Sri Lanka wants to
emphasise that they are more than simply underdogs.
Hosts Because they came close to defeating India last
week, Sri Lanka has the blueprint to do so. They were favourites at the halfway
point after bowling India out for 213 with all ten of their wickets coming from
spinners, including four from a part-time offspinner. But the pace of India
shook them, and they were never the same.
Sri Lanka’s best option on Sunday, with a sluggish,
turning surface anticipated, would be to stick to that bowling strategy, topped
off with a stronger batting performance. If things go their way, they put up a
terrific showing in a difficult chase against Pakistan in the virtual
semifinal, but that was a pitch that was conducive to batting. The injured
Maheesh Theekshana, a wicket-taking threat at every stage of an ODI innings,
would be dearly missed.
India enters the championship game with a loss, but
given that several of its key players will be rested for the game against
Bangladesh, the outcome could not mean much. Every first XI batsman has at
least one significant score, and their bowlers appear to be bowling with
wonderful rhythm. Their balance, though, will be tested with the allrounder
Axar Patel also ruled out with a hamstring niggle.
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, all of the
preparation will be for naught. Rain is expected on Sunday (and Monday, the
reserve day), which could result in a truncated contest or a washout.