Under-19 World Cup final could be a thriller

On the basis of their consistent performances in the competition - including a victory over Sri Lanka in the Super League - it would be easy to install India as favourites when they take on the hosts again in the final of the Under-19 World Cup at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds at Colombo on Friday. But given the fact that Sri Lanka are playing at home and have also had a fine record in the tournament, their chances too cannot be discounted.

The two teams from the sub continent in fact have been the outstanding sides in the tournament while the third, Pakistan, has not been far behind. They were a bit unlucky to lose to Sri Lanka in the semifinal by ten runs.

India has really cruised through to the title round. In the preliminary league, they easily beat Bangladesh by 122 runs in the opening game. They then dismissed Netherlands for 58 runs in a rain affected game which was left unfinished and then got the better of New Zealand by 28 runs. In the Super League, they carried on the superb form and with successive victories over Nepal (by eight wickets), England (by nine wickets) and Sri Lanka (by 41 runs) they entered the semifinal where they rolled over Australia by 170 runs.

Except for the reverse at the hands of India in the Super League, Sri Lanka's progress has been no less smooth. In the preliminary league, they first thrashed Ireland by eight wickets, scored over Namibia by seven wickets and defeated Australia by eight wickets. In the Super League, they beat England by seven wickets and routed Nepal by nine wickets before losing to India. In the semifinals they kept their nerve at vital stages and ousted Pakistan by ten runs.

India's has been a superb all round performance so far. Their batting has never let the side down. The strength starts at the top where Ravneet Ricky and Manish Sharma have proved to be a consistent opening pair. The fact that they have shared in three century partnerships best illustrates their outstanding form. Ricky is also the only Indian to get a hundred - 108 against Australia. Then the Indians bat strongly right down the order, thanks to the presence of skipper Md Kaif, RS Sodhi, Yuvraj Singh and NK Patel, all of whom have been among the runs. Yuvraj indeed has been the outstanding player of the tournament.

The bowling has been no less impressive. In Sriwastava and Tripathi they have two very penetrative opening bowlers. And Sodhi, Yuvraj and AM Dave have either provided very good support or have been able to pick up wickets on their own. The wicketkeeping of A Ratra has been another plus point. And one must not forget the role played by the coach Roger Binny who has been the guiding force behind the youngsters, goading them on to strive for greater heights.

But then Sri Lanka too have displayed exceptional all round skills. Their best batsman has been GI Daniels who has been among the runs in almost every match. J Mubarak, M Pushpakumara and skipper KM Gajanayake have been in pleasing form with the bat. In addition, they can depend on RT Peiris. The Sri Lankan stumper has impressed no less a personality than Rodney Marsh with his keeping but his contributions with the bat have also been valuable. Opening bowlers Nissanka and Ganegama and spinner Weeraratne have been picking up the wickets regularly. In addition, the all round skills of GGR Dhammika and KS Lukuarachchi have been important contributions to Sri Lanka's path to the final.

Everything then points out to a real scorcher of a final.