RECENT FORM

INDIA

Going through a period of upheavals, precipitated by the match-fixing allegations, without a regular coach and having gone four months without playing any international Cricket, the Indians, with a number of promising youngsters, did more than what was expected of them at the Mini World Cup in Kenya earlier this month But there was a revelation as India bundled out Australia and then smashed South Africa on their road to the final. Young allrounder Yuvraj Singh and left-arm paceman Zaheer Khan, sparkled for India throughout the tournament and earned appreciation worldwide.

SRI LANKA

Sri Lanka who started off as one of the favourites for the ICC Knockout tournament and their tag of Favourites was confirmed when they thrashed  West Indies in preliminary round. But their six-match winning streak was ended by Pakistan. However one defeat cannot obscure the achievements of this relatively young side. The emergence of new talent such as Aviska Gunawardena and  Kumar Sanggakarra has further strenthened the batting line. Much will be depended on their trump card, Muttiah Muralitharan pacemen Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa spearheading the attack.

RECENT HEAD TO HEADS

Sri Lanka has won the last encounter with India at Dhaka during Asia Cup in June but India has an edge over Sri Lanka with 34 wins from 64 matches played with each other. Further more, India has looked good and a better side with the inclusion of new members. The Lankans have not beaten India at the Sharjah Stadium since 1990.

TEAM NEWS

INDIA

The Indian Cricket Management requested the selectors to include an extra spinner for this tournament but their request was put down as they chose to retain the same 14 member team, who were the runners up in the ICC Knock out Trophy.

SRI LANKA

Pramodya Wickramasinghe has been replaced by Allrounder Kaushalya Weeraratne, who captained Sri Lanka U19 on the their recent tour of England. Tillekaratne Dilshan is the second new face in the squad, he has been selected ahead of Kumara Dharmasena.

SQUAD

INDIA

Sourav Ganguly (Captain), Rahul Dravid (Vice Captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Vinod Kambli, Yuvraj Singh, Robin Singh, Vijay Dahiya (wicket keeper), Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Zaheer Khan, Venkatesh Prasad, Sunil Joshi, Hemang Badani, Sridharan Sriram.

SRI LANKA

Sanath Jayasuriya (Captain), Marvan Atapattu (Vice Captin), Avishka Gunawardana, Russel Arnold, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara (Wicket Keeper), Romesh Kaluwitharana (Wicket Keeper), Chaminda Vaas, Nuwan Zoysa, Pramodya Wickremasinghe, Erik Upashantha, Muthiah Muralitharan, Upul Chandana, Kumar Dharmasena.

UAECRICKET.COM PREDICTION

Well as you all know India is flying high with renewed enthusiasm and the inclusion of youngsters can deliver the goods along with the seniors for India. whereas the Lankans are a formidable opposition in one-day cricket.