Pushed to the wall after a dismal showing against Pakistan, India captain Sourav Ganguly said his team had been in similar situations before and knows what is required to keep its Asia Cup hopes alive.
Ganguly conceded that the team is yet to play well in this one-day competition and would have to fire in their last Super League match against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
"It is not the first time when we are in such a situation so we are perfectly aware of what needs to be done. I am quite confident the boys would grab their chances and put up a positive show tomorrow," Ganguly said on Monday.
"Either way, this is now or never. We haven't played well in this tournament and we must fire," said the skipper as his side attended the afternoon's nets on the eve of the match.
The Indians did not bowl well and conceded 300 runs to Pakistan on Sunday. They then batted poorly to finish on 241 for 8. Now they must beat Sri Lanka or it will be Pakistan who could end up meeting Sri Lanka in the final next Sunday.
Ganguly said as of now there is no decision to send VVS Laxman home though the latter is unlikely to take any further part in the tournament.
"The India 'A' side is in Africa and we can't think of any replacement at a short notice. We will decide on it after tomorrow's game. I insist Laxman has no injury but just a bruise, an unfortunate bruise, since it hit him in the same area on the left knee which forced him to miss the game against Sri Lanka in the league stage."
Ganguly defended the tactics of going into the game against Pakistan with five bowlers and indicated the team is unlikely to go into tomorrow's match with same combination.
"We went into the game with six batsmen because we thought if we could make 250 on that wicket, five bowlers would be able to restrict the Pakistan team within that score.
"But we gave away too many runs and our fielding was very poor."
Ganguly supported seamer Laxmipathy Balaji who was carted for 61 runs from his seven overs.
"We can't be harsh on a bowler on the basis of just one game. He did so well for us in Australia and Pakistan. On these wickets, seamers could get hit any day. I support him. One match can't justify that he should be dropped."
Ganguly admitted Muttiah Muralitharan's absence from the line-up will work to the advantage of his team since the world record holder knows the conditions very well and is adept at exploiting them.
"His not playing is an advantage. He is brilliant in these conditions. We have got to win and play well. We have to play according to our potential."
The Indian captain was all praise for Anil Kumble's bowling in Sunday's game.
"Kumble bowled very well and he continues to make his presence felt."
It is now certain that Parthiv Patel will come in the side as the seventh batsman and the team would go with only four specialist bowlers.
Ganguly admitted as much, saying Parthiv would be tried as the seventh batsman tomorrow and the team would go with only four specialist bowlers.
