It’s difficult to read Dhoni’s now-famous instincts as far as of choice of bowling combination goes — 4-1 or 3-2, or maybe just four bowlers after having a final look at the wicket — but the role of part-timers will be specifically screened.

Not that he is sure himself. “Actually it’s quite confusing whether to play five or four bowlers; to go into the game with 3-2 or 4-1 or four plus part-timers,” said Dhoni.

Virender Sehwag is one good option, but his contribution with the bat has been minimal and has forced a complete revamp in the batting order. There’s Sachin Tendulkar, and then there are Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Irfan Pathan and Praveen Kumar. At the onset, it seemed that this batting card is top-heavy with just too many guys opening the innings. But clearly it’s a different story now as the tournament ends.

Out of the five possible contenders to partner Tendulkar, Gambhir has been among the runs at number 3, Uthappa has made number 7 his own, Pathan isn’t quite fitting the bill, while Praveen isn’t up to the mark yet, given his inability to play the short-stuff. Ironically, India’s problems in the opening slot continue, though the batting, overall, is sturdier.

Brett Lee running into them has highlighted the problems. Tomorrow, again, Tendulkar’s partner will be picked with fingers crossed.

Records say that there haven’t been too many finals that have gone into the third match, and going one-up is a definite advantage to a side.

... contd.