What

Final of the Celkon Mobile Cup, between India and Sri Lanka

Where

The Queen’s Park, Port of Spain, Trinidad

When

Thursday, July 11, 2013

The Teams

India

They suffered defeats in their first two matches, lost their captain MS Dhoni due to injury for the rest of the series and then faced a must-win situation to make the final. Since then, Virat Kohli and his young turks have shown tremendous character and skill to overcome all odds and book a place in the final of the tri-nation series.

The final will mark the 49th India-Sri Lanka cricketing contest since 2009. A superior ODI record against their familiar foes will augment India’s confidence. They might also receive another massive boost if, as hinted by Virat, MS Dhoni takes field. The Indian captain was earlier ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury.

Sri Lanka

The team from the Emerald Iles has blown hot and cold in the series with extreme performances. Against India, they lost the last league game by 81 runs, after winning the first contest between these two sides convincingly.

Sri Lanka will do well to keep in mind their recent unimpressive track record against India in big games and ensure they don’t make similar mistakes again. On a sluggish and damp Trinidad wicket, the senior batsmen will have to put their hands up if their side is to come out on top.

Key Players

India

Bhuvneshwar Kumar proved to be the difference between the two sides in the previous match and he will once again play a crucial role, given his style of bowling. Not express, but accurate and street smart, Bhuvneshwar will be the key for India on a slow track and under an overcast sky. Sri Lanka’s top-order batsmen will be wary of the young Indian medium pacer.

Sri Lanka

The onus to score runs in difficult conditions will have to be taken up by the experienced heads in the batting line-up. The top three Lankan batsmen – Upul Tharanga, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara – will do well to see off the tough first few overs and deny India’s new-ball bowlers a breakthrough. With rain in the air, the value of a strong foundation and wickets in hand cannot be underestimated.

Squads

India: Virat Kohli (capt), R Ashwin, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Ambati Rayudu, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Suresh Raina, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Murali Vijay, Vinay Kumar, Umesh Yadav, MS Dhoni

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dilhara Lokuhettige, Shaminda Eranga, Rangana Herath, Mahela Jayawardene, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Ajantha Mendis, Jeevan Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kumar Sangakkara, Sachithra Senanayake, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne