Ashwin In or Out, Dhoni in dilemma ahead of finals

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is in a dilemma over the choice of a fourth bowler for Saturday's World Cup summit clash against Sri Lanka and said the team management is still undecided on whether to go with a spinner or a seamer.

With swing bowler Ashish Nehra virtually ruled out of Saturday's grand finale due to a multiple finger fracture he suffered in the semifinal clash against Pakistan, the toss up could be between pacer S Sreesanth and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

"Ashish is most likely ruled out he's got multiple fracture on one of his fingers," said Dhoni, adding that the choice could be between Sreesanth and Ashwin.

"If you see the Mumbai track there's a bit of pace and bounce for the seamers initially and there is a bit of reverse swing going. The third seamer can have an impact on the game.

An extra seamer means I am able to maneuver the bowlers," Dhoni said at the pre-match press conference.

"With a spinner, if you have three spinners along with a part-timer you don't have room for maneuver. But whatever opportunity Ashwin has got irrespective of where he has fared he has done really well. We have confidence in him but we are not clear about whether to go with three seamers or two seamers and one extra spinner," he said.

Sreesanth had not played after the tournament opener on February 19 against Bangladesh at Mirpur, and asked how he can slip into his groove after such a lengthy absence from the middle, Dhoni said it can be done if one looked at tomorrow's final as just another game.

"Don't look at it as the final but as another game. Sree has done well for us most of the games he has played, he has done well. He's one character who can definitely swing the ball and get you early wickets. Choosing one individual over other is difficult but let's hope whoever gets chosen will perform at his best," he said.

"Unfortunately, we have not been able to give him more chances to play. Even in the first game, he played I thought he did not bowl badly. After that we gave chances to other individuals which I think were needed at that point of time.

It's more about who suits the condition more. Let's hope whoever plays just performs," said Dhoni.

Asked about Sreesanth's on-field antics, Dhoni said, "The only person who can control Sreesanth is Sreesanth himself.

It's beyond my control. He's a player who gets excited when it comes to big games. If he's playing he will be in a good frame of mind."

Dhoni conceded that the team was a bit drained after the semifinal victory against Pakistan at Mohali but was happy there was only a short gap between that emotion-charged match and tomorrow's final.