It all comes down to this. Co-hosts India and Sri Lanka will play in the last match of the World Cup and what a contest it promises to be. Sri Lanka have been comprehensive and clinical in their performances so far, whereas India has depended on late surges of aggression and composure under pressure. It is going to be a riveting game and one hell of a tough one for the betting market!
Most runs scored
India’s batting has flattered to deceive, again. Although their collapse in the semi-final should be credited to brilliant bowling, it is pretty clear that their tiny bit of resurgence after the collapse was only due to some sub-standard fielding. But it still is a strong line-up and only Dhoni is yet to fire.
Sri Lanka’s top order has done all the batting for them so far and when their middle order was exposed against New Zealand, they only JUST managed to get away without looking too comfortable. However, that top order is still pretty hard to get through and India doesn’t boast of a great bowling at the moment.
Available odds: Tendulkar @ 3.75; Sehwag @ 4.75; Gambhir/Kohli @ 6.00; Yuvraj @ 6.50; Sangakkara @ 4.00; Dilshan @ 4.33; Tharanga @ 4.50; Jayawardene @ 6.50
that_guy’s picks: Gambhir @ 6.00; Tharanga @ 4.50
Most wickets
This is the department in which India has shown consistent vulnerability. They have, however, managed to come back at crucial junctions in all their matches and win them. But they won’t be too happy that it’s Yuvraj who is looking their best spinner at the moment.
Sri Lanka will have yet another selection dilemma thanks to the vast resources they possess in the bowling department. They might not persist with the 3-spinner tactic against India, though. It depletes that batting order and kills it at number 7. Not to mention, the fact that India plays spin relatively easily. They might just throw in Kulasekara or Perera into that line-up. Murali and Mathews have had injury scares too, so a lot remains to be seen in terms of the Lankan bowling attack.
Available odds: Zaheer @ 3.75; Harbhajan @ 4.00; Ashwin @ 5.00; Munaf/Yuvraj @ 5.50; Malinga @ 3.25; Muralitharan @ 4.00; Mendis/Herath @ 5.00
that_guy’s picks: Zaheer @ 3.75; Malinga @ 3.25
Match result
Phew! This one’s a real matter of life and death. World cup final. All the pressure will be on Sri Lanka and the Mumbai fans will add to that and make it extremely tough for the Lankans. In the sub-continent, matches are won with your batting and Sri Lanka is thin in that respect. Hence, this looks like an Indian win to me.
Available odds: India @ 1.61; Sri Lanka @ 2.37
that_guy’s pick: India @ 1.61
[All odds taken from 888sport]