23 March, 2007: The nation is watching. Even as India prepares for a do or die game as they play Sri Lanka in what may be seen as the most important day for Rahul Dravid’s men this world cup.

Fresh after a thumping victory against Bermuda, India go into the game with a handful of hopes, while rivals Sri Lanka are very confident after having already moved into the Super 8. Friday being the day of reckoning for India, Dravid’s men will have to display an exemplary ac on the field to stay in the race for the coveted cup.

The depressing defeat handed out to India by Bangladesh has made it even tough for the men in blue as confidence levels have been on the wane since that fateful day. However, Viru Sehwag’s return to form against minnows Bermuda and the huge total posted in the second match have given India a lot to look forward to in the crucial match which gets underway in a short while from now. Dravid and India just hope that Sehwag’s performance was not a flash in the pan.

Dravid and his men cannot afford a loss in this match. The game’s statistics has a lot to say. If the match ends in a tie or is rain affected, Indian can still see that their dream stays alive going by technicalities. A tie can make sure that both the teams would book a Super 8 berth and two crucial carry-over points.

The Sri Lankan win over Bangladesh on Wednesday has given India an advantage in the tournament, so to say. If the result of this game was different, that is, if Bangladesh had shocked Lanka, India would have been in a tougher spot of having to beat Sri Lanka to move forward. A tie or a wash out would not have helped this game.

Meanwhile on the other side, Sri Lanka sees the match as a crucial one too though it isn’t a do or die situation for Jayasurya’s boys. This because, the points the team would bag if it beats India would benefit them in the long run up to the world cup.

The batting strength that India boasts of would take it a long way if things go well. Skipper Rahul Dravid, former captains Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, deputy skipper Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and M S Dhoni have a lot of ammunition in them, but the question remains whether they will click. The bowers too have a lot to give to the team as the crucial match gets underway soon.

It’s now over to the field to know if Dravid’s boys will survive the Lankan onslaught or whether Friday is India’s last day at world Cup 2007.

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