India have to raise their game to retain Nehru Cup

New Delhi, Aug 30: India may have made the final without any palpitations, but not many are giving them a chance of retaining the Nehru Cup football title they won two years ago beating the same Syrians in the final.

The home team would, however, back themselves to send Syria packing in front of home crowd, a feat they managed in 2007. Back then India lost to Syria 2-3 in the league phase and went on to beat the visitors in the final. This time,too, India lost 0-1 in the inconsequential league match against Syria on Saturday.

Syria are the only unbeaten side at the round-robin stage and there was some suspense about who do they play in Monday’s final till it was belatedly revealed that India were through after their facile victory over Sri Lanka as no-one cared to flip through the rule book to see how a tie is resolved. The inconsequential last league game gave both the teams to ponder about a couple of things.

Team India wrap up camp

Team India wrap up camp

BANGALORE, Aug 30: The Indian cricket team wrapped up its four-day preparatory camp for the upcoming Tri-Series in Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy with a final session of batting and bowling drills on Sunday. The camp that began on Thursday initially laid stress on fitness, followed by some batting, bowling and fielding practice under the watchful eyes of coach Gary Kirsten. The team will leave for Sri Lanka to take part in the tri-series. (PTI)