Friday, August 10, 2001 "Instead of focusing on the result or the occasion you have to get to grips with the basic processes that create success." This is not the philosophy of Chinese warlord Sun Tzu, Australia's inspiration and flavour of the week, but of General Dav Whatmore, Sri Lanka's coach. It is clearly a philosophy that works and India would do well to heed it.

Recent results explain why. Sri Lanka have won their last four triangular tournaments, including last week's crushing victory over India in the Coca-Cola Cup in Colombo. India have lost their last eight one-day international finals. Little wonder that the Indian media has labeled Sourav Ganguly's team "chokers."

Sticking to the basics means that Sri Lanka focus on the simple things: avoiding run-outs and extras. They do not waste time thinking about living with the pressure of a big occasion or out-psyching the opposition. Whatmore believes that although this skill sounds straightforward, it takes considerable effort to master. The cacophony of noise at a big Asian final can distract the best players.

For example, India needed a good start when chasing 295 last week. Early hopes rested with Tendulkar-clone Virender Sehwag, who earlier in the tournament had scored a stunning 69-ball century against New Zealand. But India clearly have not gleaned any of Whatmore's wisdom. Sehwag was run-out for 4 and India were on the back foot too early. They didn't even have Tendulkar to rescue them.

India's talisman will also miss all the Tests (it would certainly be folly to risk him in the intensity of a three Test series that will span only 20 days. Sri Lanka will therefore start favourites, even more so because of India's indifferent form since their remarkable defeat of Australia and Ganguly's increasingly unhinged captaincy.

Sri Lankan cricket needs a lift. Since their own triumph over Australia, Jayasuria's men have lost at home to both Pakistan and England. Losing to England was especially galling after winning the first Test. Like Ganguly, Jayasuria's form has been variable and his captaincy has been criticised.

With Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva now cleared of match-fixing and betting allegations, Sri Lanka have a chance to dispel the uncertainty of the past couple of years. How much that clean chit was Sri Lanka joining the international rush to clear players after the lame absolution of Alec Stewart, and how much of it is a result of genuine investigation, remains unclear. Some horses must have bolted and Paul Condon's unit looks ever more ill-equipped to keep the door shut.

Kamran Abbasi is

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