No amount of analysis fo

No amount of analysis for the World Cup can disregard the fact that when you're playing in the subcontinent, the batsmen will dominate the game. Flat tracks, low bounce, turning pitches and short boundaries mean pacers have got their work cut out.

The idea of a 50-over game in the subcontinent has hardly been in need of much imagination and it is unlikely that the event will be any different.

The bowling attack, quality of spinners available in the ranks, all-rounders to balance the squad, wicket-keepers who can bat, fielders ready to throw themselves at anything are ingredients that make a good one-day team.

On the basis of these ingredients put together, and keeping in mind the recent form, India and Sri Lanka come across as the most balanced teams to lift the trophy once again. From quality openers to a stable middle order, pacers and spinners, wicket-keepers, who are fine batsmen - they've got all bases covered. Adding to it all is the fascinating prospect of playing in front of home crowds.

Sri Lanka play five of their six league matches at home and one away - at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium against New Zealand. They're placed in Group A, where an out-of-form Australia happen to be their fiercest opponents, followed by Pakistan, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Canada. And have a look at their record since 2008: Asia Cup champions in 2008, 5-0 drubbing of Zimbabwe, Tri-series champions in Bangladesh twice and one in Zimbabwe and one at home and series victories against Pakistan (home) and Australia (away).

The fascinating aspect of Sri Lanka's overall combination has to be that they've got close to four or five options for every possibility that may arise. Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga are regular openers but there's Mahela Jayawardene too who has often moved himself up the order. Pace-wise, Lasith Malinga is fit and fast and in Thisara Perera, Dilhara Fernando and Angelo Matthews, they have ingredients for a potent attack.

The middle-order is powerful and versatile too with Sangakkara and Jayawardene coming down the order with the likes of Matthews, Thilan Samaraweera and Chamara Kapugedera to back them. And finally in the spin department, they have Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath, Ajantha Mendis. All three of them very different, all three extremely dangerous.

In comparison, MS Dhoni's team is yet to dispel its injury fears. Until Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir are back in full form, the instability in the middle order stemming from Yuvraj Singh's poor run is resolved and inexperience in the spin department, with the sole exception of Harbhajan Singh, is taken into consideration - they cannot be clear favourites.

Group-wise too, India have the strong South Africans, an improving England and the unpredictable West Indies gunning for them - the first two teams clearly in good form with South Africa registering a ODI series win against India and England giving Australia a run for their money Down Under.

So what should we look for? South Africa's over all strength, Australia's big-tournament reputation, England's growing confidence, Pakistan's unpredictability and New Zealand's tendency to punch above their weight.

But, strictly going by team combination, home advantage, the right kind of arsenal and the proverbial horses for courses strategy - India and Sri Lanka have the edge, if only their potent eleven are in right form and fitness.