Riding on the confidence picked up from their fighting display in the Test series, India resume battle, this time in the one-day format, when they take on tournament dark horses New Zealand in the opening game of the tri-series at the Rangiri International Stadium here from Tuesday.

Following the ups and downs of the Indian cricket team, one would think that only a madman would willingly want to captain the side. While the skipper is lauded for winning a game, who would want the curses of a billion-strong fan base when the Men in Blue lose? Quite a few it seems.

It all turned out well for India in the end. Full credit to the side for regaining the Asia Cup after a long hiatus, yet areas of concern remain. In conditions where the toss dictates the flow of the game, India were fortunate. Bowling at the death and consistency from the middle order has to improve to realise the World Cup dream.

It all turned out well for India in the end. Full credit to the side for regaining the Asia Cup after a long hiatus, yet areas of concern remain. In conditions where the toss dictates the flow of the game, India were fortunate. Bowling at the death and consistency from the middle order has to improve to realise the World Cup dream.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni chose the right day to win his first toss of the tournament, his batsmen obliged by posting a competitive total and quality swing bowling flowed in surplus as India regained the A

It was a similar story for India and Sri Lanka before the hosts proved how formidable they are in these conditions on Tuesday. In more ways than one, the Asia Cup is the channel in build up to the World Cup and the hosts are proving to be better in tactics and execution.

Sri Lanka experimented with their composition by resting four first choice players, challenged the conditions by electing to chase under the lights and were able to come out on top in the final league game of the Asia Cup here on Tuesday.

India and Sri Lanka will get a trial run before their conclusive Asia Cup clash. Tuesday’s final league game is a chance for both sides to asses various factors. Dinesh Karthik is expected to open the innings in place of Virender Sehwag. Other than that, the rest of the team that defeated Pakistan should remain the same.

Saturday’s clash had all the ingredients for a thriller. India’s rivalry with Pakistan has been so intense that anything normal is perceived as boring.

The pride and passion missing in the field was back with the bat as India built on a well-planned chase to seal a spot in the Asia Cup final. Chasing a challenging 268, India reached the mark off the penultimate ball and will meet Sri Lanka in Thursday’s final.