India vs Australia - 1st Final of CB Series at Sydney

India's long and controversial tour of Down Under is in the final stages as the two fiercely competitive teams face off for the first of the best of three finals of the Commonwealth Bank Series (CBS), on Sunday 2nd March 2008, at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

Despite losing to Australia twice in a row in the league phase, India are confident they have the advantage going into the CB Series finals. Much of that confidence comes from their two victories in the last three games, both against Sri Lanka, and their fight against Australia despite losing to them.

It has been a bitter campaign between the sides, especially since the second Test in Sydney in early January, but the Indians can gain revenge for their 2-1 loss in the Test series by upsetting the home side in the best-of-three finals.

India have enough batting strength to derail the Australian bowlers like Tendulkar, back in form with 63 against Sri Lanka in the last league game. Virendar Sehwag is inconsistent but he has worth to play in the finals.

Gautam Gambhir has been the highest run getter in the CB Series and the only Indian batsman besides Dhoni, who has looked to take the attack to the opposition. With two centuries, the last of which came against Australia in Sydney, the venue of the first final on Sunday. Yuraj is also back in form with Rohit Sharma and Uthappa gives strength in the middle.

The bowling looks good with Ishant Sharma's pace and Irfan Pathan's swing tormenting the Australian top order. Adding to their woes will be Praveen Kumar whose deadly out swingers swung the pendulum India's way in the match against Sri Lanka.

Hope it will be a good contest between two top ODI teams.

My Indian team for the 1st final:

Virendar Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Yuraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Dhoni, Irhfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Munaf patel