India, SL would want to win for their icons

Going by sentiments expressed over the past six weeks, players from both teams would like to win this title for their respective icons

Going by sentiments expressed over the past six weeks, players from both teams would like to win this title for their respective icons

Cast as favourites before the tournament began, India have marched into the World Cup final in fine style. There have been several obstacles and some hiccups along the way, which has made for an exciting journey nonetheless. Now only one opponent stands between them and the title.

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Smiling assassins: Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan
Pics/ Suresh KK, Atul Kamble

As it happens, Sri Lanka were touted as the second best team at the start, so in a sense, the favourites have lived up to their top billing. While a commonplace in other sports, this has not always been the case in the past in cricket. India and Pakistan were rated very low in 1983 and 1992 respectively, and Sri Lanka were considered upstarts in 1996.

There is promise therefore that the two best sides in the tournament will provide a humdinger, though even that is not necessarily a guarantee. The vicissitudes of sport respects neither reputation nor past record; form on the day alone matters.

Going by sentiments expressed over the past six weeks, players from both teams would like to win this title for their respective icons. This is understandable when you consider that these guys go by the names of Sachin Tendulkar and Muttiah Muralitharan, two of the greatest players in the history of the game.

Sachin Tendulkar's billion fanatical supporters already believe that M S Dhoni's team's have won the World Cup; after all, the two preceding wins were over holders Australia and arch rivals Pakistan so the rest should be easy.

But that is delusionary. The most important match still remains and I believe Sri Lanka will be no pushovers, for they have other sterling attributes too apart from the sentimental incentive of 'doing it for Murali'. Lanka's batting has struck very good form over the last couple of games -- though Mahela Jayawardene needs a big score soon -- and the bowling has only been second to none in wicket-taking efficiency in this tournament. In fielding, I would believe they hold a distinct edge over India.

India's strength was considered to be its batting. But in the last two games, the bowling's been splendid and the fielding tigerish. Sehwag at the top and Raina at number 7 provide the flourish in batting which is matched by the virtuosity of Tendulkar, the solidity of Gambhir and Kohli, and the born-again brilliance of Yuvraj Singh, whose rise to eminence as the cup's premier all-rounder has played a significant role in India's success.

Zaheer Khan's been outstanding with old ball and new, but was seeking support -- from pace or spin -- which has come from Yuvraj. With Nehra unlikely to play, skipper Dhoni's task of choosing his playing 11 has been made easier: Ashwin should be in.

The Lankans have moved to this stage without too much hoopla since so much of the attention has so far been focused on India. But they are a highly competitive side boasting players with deep experience, class and flair -- apart from the fact that they know Indian players and conditions very well.

Saturday promises a blockbuster, replete with history and emotion. Both teams have lost in a World Cup final previously, so they would want to set the record straight a bit. Neither side is also likely to forget the 1996 semi-final in Kolkata -- certainly not India -- who were favourites to win, but collapsed sensationally after Tendulkar's dismissal.

Tendulkar incidentally is one of two survivors from that match, the other being Muralitharan. While Murali has announced his retirement, another assault on the World Cup four years later is not impossible for Tendulkar, yet improbable all the same.

For both Murali and Tendulkar, therefore, there is no moment like the present. In Tendulkar's case the story case gets more poignant. In a glorious 21-year career he has won every award, accolade and trophy worth the mention except the World Cup.

This is his sixth such tournament. Tendulkar has been destiny's child in almost every respect. Is this going to be his crowning glory or a pathos-ridden tragedy?
Six weeks back looked like a dream script, has been played out to near perfection, with only the last chapter remaining. His legion of followers believe that Tendulkar's hundredth hundred in the final being played in his home city to win the one title that has eluded him as yet would be the most apt conclusion to this tournament.
I reckon Tendulkar would settle for just the win alone.