A first all-Asian final in the Cricket World Cup‘s 36-year history between the two Asian Bizarres, India and Sri Lanka at The Wankhade Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, April 2, 2011, underlines that familiarity breeds success.
A Never before have the subcontinental teams dominated the showpiece one-day event, as India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan all made it to the semi-finals for the first time together by capitalising on the conditions and making a 100% guarantee that an Indian Subcontinent Team would win this year’s World Cup for sure, whether It’s Dhoni’s Team India or Sangakara’s Team Sri Lanka.
According to all previous statistics, Both the Teams are appearing for the Third Time in The World Cup Final : India (1983,2003 and 2011) and Sri Lanka (1996,2007 and 2011). Both of them were defeated by Australia on their previous encounters in Final. But, Both the Teams have won The World Cup once each.
India won The Final against The Two-Time Champions, West Indies in 1983 at Lord’s, under Kapil Dev‘s captaincy.
Whereas, Sri Lanka won The Final against The Four-Time and The Current Defending Champions, Australia in 1996 at Lahore, under Arjuna Ranatunga‘s leadership.
Both the teams have given an exceptional and magnificent performance throughout the tournament. Their overall statistics proves it so. Five of the six top run-getters before the final are from Sri Lanka and India, with Sri Lankan opener Tillakaratne Dilshan leading the list with 467 runs from eight matches. He is followed by India’s Sachin Tendulkar (464), compatriots Kumar Sangakkara (417) and Upul Tharanga (393), and India’s Virender Sehwag (380). Four of the seven top bowlers are from the subcontinent, headed by Pakistan skipper and leg-spinner Shahid Afridi with 21 wickets in eight matches. Others are Indian paceman Zaheer Khan (19 wickets), Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (15) and Pakistani fast bowler Umar Gul (14).
The finalists of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, India and Sri Lanka, have played 128 matches so far with each other and the record is in favour of India by 67-50 (NR: 11). In World Cup matches Sri Lankans are leading by 4-2. At the venue of the final match of the Cricket World Cup 2011, both teams have won one match each.
This World Cup 2011 final will probably be the last Cricket World Cup match of two contemporary legends, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and bowling great Muttiah Muralitharan. Sachin Tendulkar has added numerous feathers in his cap with the exception of the Cricket World Cup trophy, whereas Murali has lifted the trophy in the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
In the India vs Sri Lanka World Cup 2011 final match on Saturday, Indian fast bowler Ashish Nehra, who bowled exceptionally well in the semi final against Pakistan in Mohali, is battling an injury because of a fractured right hand middle finger.
Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss has said spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan will play his last international match on Saturday at Wankhede Stadium despite his fitness problem, which include hamstring injury, side strain, troublesome knee and a groin issue.
In the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, the Indian team will have to give attention to fielding. Throughout the tournament Indian fielding has been an area of concern for the captain and team management, though India has fielded well in crucial encounters against Australia and Pakistan.
In bowling Zaheer Khan has done a good job of containment and of taking wickets, but Harbhajan has not supported him up to his capacity.
Sachin Tendulkar is performing consistently well, but Gautam Gambhir has gifted his wicket many times in the ongoing tournament. Virender Sehwag is providing eletrifying starts in the tournament, and has scored 380 runs so far with an average of 54.29.
Virat Kohli needs improvement and consistency in his batting. Yuvrag Singh, one of the strongest contenders of the man-of-the-series, has performed equally well in both batting and bowling.
In the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Indian batsmen will have to be ready for the yorkers and intelligent deliveries of Lasith Malinga. Muttiah Muralitharan can also create panic for Indian batsmen. Sri Lankan batsmen Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga are playing good cricket and are scoring in every match. Indian bowlers will have to bowl a good line to the Lankan batsmen in form, and play with a cool mind.
The India vs Sri Lanka World Cup 2011 final match is likely to be an entertaining cricket match. Let’s see on Saturday, April 2, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, who will play like a real champion, Sachin Tendulkar or Muttiah Muralitharan?
Given below are the India and Sri Lanka squads for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 final match:
India: MS Dhoni (capt/wk), Virender Sehwag (vice capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, R. Ashwin, Piyush Chawla, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel and S. Sreesanth and Coach: Gary Kirsten
Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara (capt/wk), Mahela Jayawardene (vice capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Thilan Samaraweera, Chamara Silva, Chamara Kapugedera, Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Dilhara Fernando, Muttiah Muralitharan, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath and Coach: Trevor Bayliss
So, Get Ready for some Action, as we just Few Moments left to witness THE ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN at THE WANKHADE STADIUM on April 2, 2011. As It’s not only gonna be INDIA v/s SRI LANKA at the Finals for World Cup 2011. But also, It is even more than a Final ….
RAM v/s RAAVAN
DHONI v/s SANGAKARA
TENDULKAR v/s DILSHAN
SEHWAG v/s THARANGA
YUVI v/s PERARA
ZAHEER v/s MALINGA
BHAJJI v/s MURALI
UPAR CUT v/s PALLU SCOOP
DOOSRA v/s SLINGA
1983 LORDS v/s 1996 LAHORE
COLOMBO SMASHERS v/s KOLKATA CHOKERS
Ab aaega ASLI MAZAAA !! DE GHUMAKE !! xD