India captain Sourav Ganguly believes his side has done enough in the last few years to dispel the notion that they crumble under pressure in finals.
"We won in the West Indies when we were one-all. We then beat Pakistan when we were two-all. These were as good as finals. Then, of course, there was the NatWest title," said the elegant left-hander, ahead of Sunday's Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka.
India have contested 12 finals under Ganguly's leadership, lost nine, shared two and won just one, but most of the recent losses have come against World champions Australia.
"We have lost to them because they are such a good side. They lift themselves in the big match and we must similarly try to do so on Sunday."
Ganguly conceded that Sri Lanka are a tough side in home conditions and would be strengthened further with the return of Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan.
"They would be boosted by Vaas and Murali but it isn't as if we would be playing them for the first time; we know how to tackle them.
"They are good in their own conditions but we have beaten them in the past and can do it again," he said.
Ganguly has shown good form with the bat in the tournament, presently lying third with 240 runs, behind Shoaib Malik (318) and Sanath Jayasuriya (278).
"It's good to be among the runs but it's the all-important game on Sunday which counts."
Ganguly was also in splendid control as captain against Sri Lanka in the last Super League game when the hosts seemed to be running away with the match.
"It was a close game and I tried to do my best. I can't say whether my captaincy has spark or not but then it's also about how lucky you are. Sometimes you click and sometimes you don't. I generally try to give off my best."
Ganguly expressed a little concern about the wicket at the Premadasa stadium, the venue for the final, saying it was "very slow" in the last game.
The Indian captain once again said the authorities should permit squads of more than 14 players in a one-day tournament of this nature.
"When you are playing one match after the other, the team gets affected if one player is injured. That is why there should be more than 14 players in a squad... but the good news is VVS Laxman should be fit for the final."
© 2024 Rediff.com -