The Indians have been riding high ever since there was a change at the helm for the Independence Cup in Dhaka. Azhar, understandably, is keen to add the Triangular series title to his tally of successes.

``We are aware of our capabilities and are quite confident for the final. (in fact) We should take this match,'' he pronounced. Hardly profound, but you cannot argue with his record, as he repeats the lines with a huge smile; a smile bigger than ever before. He dismisses any worry about the law ofaverages. ``As long as you play to your potential, nothing can stop you from winning.''

The top-order has clicked with Sachin Tendulkar, Ajay Jadeja and the skipper himself scoring heavily in the earlier matches. The injury to left-hander Vinod Kambli, however, has been a minor setback. ``It is unfortunate that he got injured. I feel sorry for him. He is a good player and should be fit in a month's time,'' Azhar said.

But the dashing Kambli's absence may well be made up by Navjot Singh Sidhu. The sardar, about whom the selectors said only a week ago ``will not fit into the scheme of things in the present team'' wants to prove a point or two. ``God is great,'' was how he chose to describe this change in fortunes.

In a high-scoring series thus far, where dazzling batting brilliance has often been the talking point, the Indians have been distinctly lucky in that new and young bowlers, too, have come good to a large extent. Especially at a time, when Javagal Srinath has been laid low with an injury andVenkatesh Prasad's comeback has not exactly been spectacular. Ajit Agarkar, Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Rahul Sanghvi have all done well with the ball. Add to that their fielding ability. It all adds up to a clear plus for the side.

Steve Waugh, who could soon be Australia's captain for both Tests and one-dayers, does not let much emotion show on his poker face. The few creases that are visible may well be due to the heat and strain of too much cricket. But the fact that Warne was more engaged with the physio, Errol Alcott, and not turning his arm round at the nets, cannot be a comforting thought for any skipper, let alone one looking desperately for a title.He has only 13 players, Warne inclusive, at his disposal and yet he said, ``All 13 players are available for selection for tomorrow's game.'' He added, ``We are expecting him to play tomorrow because he is a key player in big matches,'' said Waugh. ``Our physio will take the final decision on Warne tomorrow.''

Steve Waugh wants to bat first in case hewins the toss. ``We would like to put up a big score if we get to bat first and then put pressure on India,'' he said. And then quickly added, ``Tendulkar, Azhar, Ganguly, Jadeja are all good players. We will try to get them out early,'' he said. If they do, the game is good as gone for India.

But Azhar these days cannot think of anything except a win. ``We are here to play well. We should not worry about any one person. It will only play on your mind,'' he explains. The reference is to Warne, but Azhar may well have meant that about any of the 13 in the Aussie camp. So focussed does he look these days. Seemingly at ease with life, batting beautifully as only he can and on top of all that, winning, too. There's not much else India can ask for right now. Except, maybe, for one more title.

TEAMS

India (from): Mohammed Azharuddin (c), Ajay Jadeja (v-c), Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Navjot Sidhu, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Ajit Agarkar, Nayan Mongia (wk), Anil Kumble, Rahul Sanghvi, Venkatesh Prasad,Debashish Mohanty, VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh.

Australia (from): Steve Waugh (c), Shane Warne (v-c), Adam Gilchrist (wk), Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Michael Bevan, Tom Moody, Michael Kasprowicz, Damien Fleming, Gavin Robertson, Darren Martyn and Adam Dale.

Umpires: VK Ramaswamy (Hyderabad), Vijay Chopra (Uttar Pradesh).

Third Umpire: K Hari Haran (Delhi).

Match referee: Peter Van Der Merwe (South Africa).