— Photo: V. Ganesan.

IN TRUE SPIRIT: Mahela Jayawardene, Rahul Dravid and Mark Boucher at the launch of the Unitech Cup in Colombo on Saturday.

Colombo: Bad memories can teach you good things. In several previous campaigns in Sri Lanka, India has stumbled on the chase, often from winning situations. The Indians had allowed the pressure to build and then plummeted as the asking rate climbed. Now, the Indians have an opportunity to exorcise the ghosts from the past.

After a routine function at the Taj Samudra Hotel here on Saturday to formally announce the three-nation Unitech one-day tournament, India skipper Rahul Dravid, pressed about one particular area the Indians would need to focus on, told The Hindu, "in how we play the middle overs."

On the solution to the riddle in the middle could hinge India's fate. The pacing of the innings will be a critical area.

In a competition where India is expected to meet host Sri Lanka in the final at the Premadasa Stadium on Aug. 30, the overs between 15 and 35, when Muttiah Muralitharan & Co. would attempt to choke the batsmen with an inner ring around the batsmen on pitches lacking in pace, could emerge the decisive phase of the game.

Matching wits

Dravid will be matching wits with the impressive Mahela Jayawardene in the days ahead. The Sri Lankan appears blessed with the most important quality for a captain — he can visualise the course of a game, think ahead.

His field placements have been unusual, but he usually has the right man at the right place. "I go with my impulse," he said to this newspaper. Jayawardene skippers like he bats — he is prepared to take a chance, seize the initiative.

He is a charming man with an incisive mind. "I think it will boil down to not just how the teams adapt to the conditions, but to the opposition as well," the Sri Lanka captain said.

In other words, even if India coped with the pitch and the attack, it could still have to contend with a busy Jayawardene shuffling his bowlers and switching the fielders around in a bid to disturb the rhythm and momentum of the opposition.

Out to prove a point

South Africa, which takes on the host in the opener on Monday, will be keen to prove a point or two. The skipper Mark Boucher, can look a challenge in the eye.

Even without captain Graeme Smith and the rock-solid Jacques Kallis, South Africa almost snatched a dramatic series-levelling victory in the second Test here. In the abbreviated form of the game that can mask weaknesses, it might emerge a stronger force.

The side, however, has a major fitness concern ahead of its first match. Pace spearhead Mkhaya Ntini, recovering from a hamstring strain, only has a 50-50 chance of getting fit for Monday's match, said coach Mickey Arthur. However, senior all-rounder Shaun Pollock had progressed well from a back strain and so had Boucher from a sore elbow.

Chance for fringe players

The injuries, big-hitter Justin Kemp and swing bowler Charl Langerveldt are out of the competition as well, have given the fringe players an opportunity to put their hands up, said Arthur.

Sri Lanka will be hoping that the smooth-stroking Marvan Atapattu, who has resumed match practice following a carefully measured rehabilitation process from a worrying spinal injury, would be completely fit .

Jayawardene, though, was cautious about Atapattu's comeback. "We do not want to hurry the process, rush him back. He is a key player for us."

Weather threat

While the cricket could be bright, the threat of inclement weather looms. Rain has been forecast over the next two days.

Meanwhile, Jonty Rhodes, who is the consultant in his favourite department for the South African side, threw light on the important of retaining focus during fielding.

He was concerned about the drop in the concentration levels of the fielders after the first hour in every session. "You have to switch on mentally before the bowler turns on his run-up and then switch off after the ball has been fielded. "The fielders today are trying too hard. They are concentrating all the time without switching off in between and are, resultantly, becoming tired. You have to enjoy your fielding, expect every ball to come to you. Fielding is fun."

A.B. de Villiers, a fluent batsman, dwelt on the importance of the use of feet against Muralitharan.

The off-spinning wizard will be a huge factor in the tournament. We return again to the middle-overs!

India wins

India defeated a fighting Sri Lanka `A' by three wickets in a practice match at the Colts cricket ground here on Saturday.

The visitors, chasing 203 for victory, slumped from 128 for three to 153 for seven but the left-handed Yuvraj Singh steered the side home with a 57-ball unbeaten 61.

Ajit Agarkar, who went for 45 in his seven overs, contributed 32 and Ramesh Powar delivered a few big blows with the willow. Skipper Rahul Dravid, who opened with Sachin Tendulkar, made 47 and added 65 with Yuvraj.

Earlier, Upul Tharanga topscored for the host with a well-made 88. Virender Sehwag returned figures of three for 16 with his off-spin. Left-arm paceman Irfan Pathan, searching for bowling form, produced a creditable performance conceding 31 runs in his 10 overs.

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