Bolstered by their dramatic comeback in the tournament, a rejuvenated India will be gunning for yet another title triumph when they clash with an equally determined Sri Lanka in the final of the tri-nation ODI series here on Thursday.
The reigning Champions Trophy winners may also get a further boost with the possibility of their regular captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni returning to the playing XI after being laid low by a hamstring injury. A decision will be taken about Dhoni’s avaibility before the toss.
Their campaign in tatters after back-to-back defeats in the first leg of the tournament, the Indians fought back with two bonus-point wins to cruise into the final at the expense of hosts West Indies.
Despite the absence of Dhoni, who was ruled out after the loss to West Indies in their series opener, stand-in skipper Virat Kohli successfully braved a difficult phase with the ‘Men in Blue’ rising to the occasion.
India entered the final as table-toppers having posted two wins from four matches — same as the other two teams — but they had the advantage of enjoying a better net run-rate.
The Indian team composition for the final at the Queen’s Park Oval will more or less be the same. If Dhoni is declared fit, Murali Vijay will make way for the skipper.
The Sri Lankans will once again look to old guards Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara for success against a team that has been their nemesis in a few tournament finals, including the 2011 World Cup.
Both Jayawardene and Sangakkara have had their share of success against India in the past and it will be crucial from the islanders’ point of view that the two veterans click for the team.