Tri-Nation Series: India need a win plus a bonus point

To face Sri Lanka in do-or-die clash today.

HOBART: Keeping aside MS Dhoni’s ignorance of not knowing the bonus-point provision that would take his team through to the final, India have an uphill task ahead of their last Tri-Nation Series One-Day International against Sri Lanka today.

After the loss against Australia in Sydney, which enabled the hosts to reach the final, Dhoni ruled out chances of his side qualifying but a bonus-point win over Sri Lanka will extend India’s woeful tour to one more match.

“I am quite happy to hear that,” Dhoni was quoted on ESPNcricinfo. “It gives us another chance. That would be saying I am very optimistic, seeing that we have not consistently done well with the bat. But I am happy that at least there is a chance subject to some other game, but I would love to take it.”

It has been a forgettable tour for India, who lost all four Tests to Australia and have won just two of their seven matches in the Tri-Nation Series. Added to this is the pressure on Sachin Tendulkar to produce one last piece of brilliance to get the World Cup champions the bonus-point victory.

Sri Lanka wary of Tendulkar threat

While India have issues to resolve, Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene is wary of what is shaping up to be Tendulkar’s final chance in Australia to score his elusive 100th international century.

“You never know,” said Jayawardene. “I’ve played against him on so many occasions, he’s produced some brilliant individual performances. But India’s a good side so you have to expect something different from them I’m sure because they need a big win.

“I have to feel for the Indians. It’s been a long tour, especially when you’re not winning it becomes a much longer tour.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 28^th, 2012.