Dhaka: South African captain Graeme Smith on Saturday conceded that India was the favourite to win the final of the TVS Cup on Sunday but said his fast-improving young team was quite capable of beating it.

"We have to play very well to beat the in-form Indians. But if we keep improving the way we have done, there is no reason why we can not emerge victorious," Smith said on the eve of the day-night final at the Bangabandhu National Stadium.

Already South Africa has inflicted the first defeat on the Indians in this tournament, winning by five wickets in the last league match on Friday, and Smith said a victory in the final would Be the perfect reward for his team which was settling down into a nice rhythm.

"The team is together and we are working really hard because it is a transition phase for us. If we can win on Sunday, it will be a big boost for us," Smith, at 22 the youngest player to lead South Africa, said.

He said the youngsters in the team, who made it to the national squad in place of a number of senior players who either retired or were dropped after South Africa's premature exit from the World Cup, had a lot of potential and were willing to learn fast.

"Of course the absence of so many seniors cannot be filled up overnight. But the new members have been trying really hard. The team is on the right track and slowly getting the combinations right," he said.

"The win in the previous match has made us confident," Smith said. Smith also hinted that the same team which did duty to register a five-wicket win against India in the last match would be fielded on Sunday but the decision would be made only after having a look at the pitch in the morning

Having played a day-night encounter on Friday, neither teams had a practice session on Saturday. Instead, they preferred to spend some time in their hotel swimming pool. "Since we had played a game yesterday we decided to rest today. It is also too hot and the boys need a rest," Smith explained.

The Indians also spent the day indoors and had a brief session at the pool. Captain Saurav Ganguly, however, went to the stadium to have a look at the pitch before the team meeting at the hotel where the playing XI was expected to be finalised.

Extras:
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