Hosts Sri Lanka take on India in a dress-rehearsal for the finals

The two best teams of this tournament to battle each other in the second inconsequential match of this single-round robin tournament.

Sri Lanka are on a role in recent times, and if one goes to analyse, Tillakaratne Dilshan has been the key player. He was out of form during the World T20 in the Caribbean and Sri Lanka struggled, even though their reaching the final-four might not suggest so. He was named the skipper for the tour to Zimbabwe when senior players were rested and worked hard to get back in form  and when he did, Sri Lanka won the tri-series and have stormed into the finals now. He has led the way for the islanders. Of course, the other seniors have struck good form too. Angelo Mathews is close to being one of the most valuable players around in World Cricket. The bowling attack is well-settled as Muttiah Muralidaran came back well against Bangladesh after being thrashed by Afridi in the first game. Sri Lanka might rest a few players, perhaps give a chance to the promising Suraj Randiv and maybe even to Thilina Kandamby. They might also try out batting under lights which they haven’t done so far in this series as they might have to in the finale.

India will be high on confidence after beating arch rivals Pakistan in the cliffhanger which knocked the latter out of the tournament. They have, however, suffered a major setback in the form of Virender Sehwag who has been ruled out of this tournament due to an injury, after recuperating from an injury. Dinesh Karthik is his replacement for the next match. India are already missing the services of Yuvraj Singh and Sachin Tendulkar and this is a good opportunity for MS Dhoni to gauge the bench-strength because such a scenario can arise during times around the 50-over World Cup in the near future. The pace bowling is not really reliable, in fact, it is sporadic, good on one day, bitter on the other. The next game allows them an opportunity to perhaps try out Ashok Dinda and give rest to Ashish Nehra who has been susceptible to injuries.

Sri Lanka have a Castrol Index of 230 while India have it as 186, the difference has been exacerbated by the Quick Start Bowling which has let down India big time. Even though it might feel that these two sides have been playing against just each other since an eternity, and are set to continue that, the last five times these two sides have faced each other in recent times, they have won alternately with Sri Lanka starting the trait and leading with one win which would hint that India might win this one and Sri Lanka, the finals!