CHENNAI: In theatre parlance, it's the last scene before the intermission. Team India's show will go on after this, but it's just that the course of events may well hinge on how things shape up at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday.
Both India and West Indies have qualified for the quarterfinals, but the standings will be decided on the result of this final Group B match. In addition to that, the morale of the Indian team needs a boost if they are to do well in the knock-out stages.
Barring a couple of brilliant batting stints from Sachin Tendulkar, nothing has gone right for India in the past three weeks. No Indian fan would have liked his team to qualify after beating just a couple of minnows.
But that's precisely what has happened and Virender Sehwag's fitness concern has made matters even more tricky for the Indian team management.
According to captain MS Dhoni, the dashing opener has an "allergy in the knee" and the team management is not sure whether to play him on Sunday. "We will take a call tomorrow," Dhoni said, leaving enough indications that the Delhi dasher may just sit out.
In his absence, Gautam Gambhir will open the batting with Tendulkar while Suresh Raina will come in for the vice-captain. The team management had earlier planned to give Yusuf Pathan a break, but Viru's injury may keep his place in the playing XI intact. There's pressure from all quarters to play off-spinner R. Ashwin and finally it seems the skipper has to give in.
Ashwin knows the Chepauk track like the back of his palm and his previous successes against a marauding Chris Gayle in the IPL is likely to help him clinch a berth in the line-up. The fact that West Indies have a number of left-handers in their line-up has made the team management consider the option of playing two off-spinners.
The Caribbean boys crumbled against English off-spinning duo of James Tredwell and Graeme Swann on the same, dry Chepauk track and one understands that the Indians have taken the cue. "We had plans of giving everyone a chance before the knock-out stage. Let's see how things go," Dhoni said.
The pace bowling department is also a bit of a worry for India with only Zaheer Khan coming good in patches. While Munaf Patel has been bowling decently in the nets over the last few days, Ashish Nehra is slowly finding his rhythm. The South Africans took him apart in the last game and his disastrous final-over has put a serious question mark over his inclusion in the playing XI.
The team management, though, is still tight-lipped about their choice of the second pacer for the game. "It's expected that the ball will reverse swing and we will take a call on whom to play on the day of the game," Dhoni said.
Weather
It's getting hotter in Chennai. Temperatures will be in the high 30s with the highest predicted to be 39 degrees. With their quarterfinal berth now assured, both India and the West Indies camps are pretty relaxed but will look to seal second spot. However, the heat and humidity in Chennai will test the endurance of both teams.
Pitch report
Unlike the other venues in the country, the Chepauk has been a true sporting wicket, offering something for everyone. The West Indies bowlers have done well so far in the tournament and so have the Indian batsmen, so it will be a fascinating contest between bat and ball. The in-form Kemar Roach will be steaming in to have a go at Sachin Tendulkar while left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn will be up against the likes of Yuvraj and Dhoni.
X-Factor
Ravichandran Ashwin hasn't got a game yet but in all likelihood the off-spinner will be included in the final eleven. The off-spin duo of James Tredwell and Graeme Swann called the shots against West Indies on Thursday. Now, it's the turn of Ashwin and Harbhajan Singh to do the same.
Y-Factor
The middle-order is a big worry for the West Indies and it will be a challenge to live up to the expectations. On the other hand, pace bowling is a weak link for India.
Teams (from):
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Yusuf Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Piyush Chawla, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Munaf Patel.
West Indies: Darren Sammy (captain), Chris Gayle, Devon Smith, Darren Bravo, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kieron Pollard, Devon Thomas, Sulieman Benn, Nikita Miller, Kemar Roach, Kirk Edwards, Ravi Rampaul, Andre Russell, Devendra Bishoo.
