Colombo: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly spoke to The Telegraph on Saturday afternoon, a day ahead of the 2012 World Twenty20 final.
The following are excerpts
If he'd expected a Sri Lanka versus the West Indies final...
No... Any of the four teams which made the semi-finals could have qualified for Sunday... T20 is such that anybody can win. Knowing that, I didn't necessarily think it would be between the West Indies and Sri Lanka.
Thoughts on the eve of the final...
I expect a good match... Sri Lanka have been undefeated after the league stage, while the West Indies were terrific last (Friday) night. The West Indies really put on an awesome show.
Fear among Sri Lankans that the law of averages could trip Mahela Jayawardene's team...
Why think like that? Sri Lanka may end up winning all their matches Super Eights onwards... I wouldn't bother about the law of averages, but look ahead positively.
On what could make the difference...
The batting, I think, for both teams. If the West Indies bat as they did against Australia, then Sri Lanka can't win... However, the hosts also have a good line-up, capable of a big total.
If the wicket will have the biggest say...
Don't think so... The ground staff have got a day's break, so they'll be able to do the repairs. But the captain winning the toss is bound to bat. It's better to set a target in big matches and hope that the opposition will crack under pressure.
The pressure factor...
We're talking of a final, so there will be huge pressure.
On what has been an advantage for the finalists...
Sri Lanka have been consistent, that has made a difference for them... The West Indies have played the big games well... They've delivered in the key matches.
Three players who have stood out in this tournament...
MAHELA JAYAWARDENE: Has been in superb touch and has played crucial innings at the top of the order. Besides, he's captained Sri Lanka so well. He's been leading from the front.
CHRIS GAYLE: He's again shown that he can destroy at will... Great guy to have at the start, for he provides the momentum. That he batted right through the 20 overs against Australia is ominous for Sri Lanka.
LASITH MALING
#CC0000A:
He's one of the five players I'd picked in your paper as the ones to watch out for before the World Twenty20 began... He's had a big influence on the tournament and is dangerous across wickets.
If there's a captain who has stood out...
Mahela... He's calm, enjoys the respect of teammates and has been performing. You don't need anything else from a captain.
The final being Simon Taufel's last match as an Elite Panel umpire...
Simon's had a terrific innings, among the best umpires that I've seen.
Finally, on why India crashed out in the Super Eights...
Let's forget India
