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In a repeat of the ICC World Cup 2011 final, India will meet Sri Lanka in the second semi-final of the Champions Trophy. The two sides have undergone some changes since that match. Sri Lanka have had a change in guard even though the personnel remain pretty much the same as Angelo Matthews will lead the side. On the other hand, India are without many key members of that squad, but perhaps look all the more better for it. The two subcontinental teams have acclimatized to English conditions, and have had successful group campaigns. Sri Lanka have survived some narrow clashes, whereas India have been rather convincing throughout. With an abundance of skill in both the line-ups, temperament and psychological strength might prove to be the separating factors on the day.
The 2002 Champions Trophy saw these two teams contest the final, but an appalling reserve day rule that required the match to be restarted from scratch saw two matches being rained out, and the trophy was shared in spite of over 100 overs of play. Fans of both cricketing nations will be hoping that rain does not intervene when the match gets underway. India seem to be the stronger side on paper, but Sri Lanka have the advantage of coming out of some really tough situations, and that may help them to peak at the right moment. In either case, it makes for a thrilling contest. Here is a list of five things to look out for when the Indian blues meet the Lankan lions:
5. Slinga Malinga
Lasith Malinga has had mixed success playing against the Indians. He saw some success initially, but he was tonked all around the park by the Indian batsmen at the World Cup. Virat Kohli especially takes a particular liking for his pace. It is perhaps because the two teams have contested a lot of games against each other in last few years that his novelty has worn out. Malinga has had a terrific tournament so far though, and his slower yorker is a sensation. He will be rejuvenated and eager for revenge. He will have able support from Nuwan Kulasekara at the other end, who put in a match-winning performance with the ball against the Aussies.
4. The Indian spin duo
R. Jadeja and R. Ashwin have made the ball talk in English conditions. They have been a bit fortunate as the surfaces have been on the drier side and have offered enough assistance. However, a return of 12 wickets in 3 matches is astounding. They are critical for this Indian side, as they contain the run rate in the middle overs allowing MS Dhoni to dictate the pace of the game. Jadeja especially has been in hot form as batsmen have failed to pick him. He is an intelligent bowler and bowls within his limitations, sticking to a wicket to wicket line and getting the odd ball to turn. That creates a lot of doubt in the batsman’s mind, and hence he gets a lot of leg-before dismissals.
3. The Indian opening pair
Shikhar Dhawan is the highest run-scorer in the tournament so far; and with two centuries in his bag, the signs looks ominous for the Lankan lions. He has formed a formidable partnership with Rohit Sharma, who has revived his career as an opener. They will have to provide the platform for the middle order to consolidate upon. The middle order has not had a lot of time out there, and that might prove to be their undoing; hence the openers must continue to perform.
2. The Sri Lankan veterans
The idea behind promoting Angelo Matthews to the captain’s role was to look ahead to the 2015 World Cup. However, the performances of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have proved that they will have a key role to play in this vision as they still continue to be leaders on the pitch. Sangakkara’s century against England was one of the greatest knocks in the history of this competition. Mahela was not in form coming into this competition, but he scored a valuable fifty against England and made a match-winning contribution against the Aussies. India will remember the century he scored against them in the World Cup final and will be wary of the threat he poses.
1. MS Dhoni
Captain Cool has had little to do in the course of the tournament except give gleeful post-match interviews. He will definitely be called upon at the business end of the tournament in his capacity as a leader, and as a batsman. It was Dhoni’s memorable knock that propelled India to World Cup glory, and he might have to repeat the performance to get the better of the Sri Lankan juggernaut. He will be his usual self as he leads the team using his bowlers to the best effect and choking the opposition with clever field placements. His leadership can make the difference on the day.
