The Indian team management is sparing no effort to get star batsman VVS Laxman fit for Sunday's Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka with captain Sourav Ganguly asserting that the side would stick to its tested policy of playing seven batsmen.

"I hope Laxman is fit for the game. I want him for the final," said Ganguly, as the Indians took a break from cricket.

Physio Andrew Leipus, meanwhile, has already gone on record saying the stylish right-hand batsman would be available for selection for the final.

Laxman may not have lifted a bat in the last few days because of a bruised left knee, but Ganguly preferred to gloss over the fact while deciding the composition of the team.

"I have always advocated that batsmen win one-day games for you and hence I would like to go with seven batsmen," said the skipper, whose captaincy in the Tuesday's match against Sri Lanka has come in for praise from various quarters.

Most of the other Indian cricketers were unavailable. They were either trying to catch up on sleep, visit friends or do some shopping.

They were slated to visit the Indian High Commission for an official dinner in the evening, a routine fixture with the Indian cricket team on any tour.

The mood in the Pakistan camp was entirely different as the cricketers checked on their departure schedules and expressed disappointment at the way the door was shut on them in this tournament.

Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul Haq slammed the "insane" bonus point system as he watched India sneak into the final ahead of them.

"I thought Sri Lanka were cruising but the things changed in the last three overs," said Inzamam, who watched the pulsating game on television in his room.

He was understandably upset at the bonus point rule, which he feels cost them a place in the final.

"This bonus system is flawed. We win by 59 runs, yet it is the opposition which leaves the game with a point in their pocket."

In the points tally, Pakistan now have five points to India's 12 and Sri Lanka's 13. Even if they take the bonus point from Thursday's game against Bangladesh, they will still fall short of India's tally.

While the Indian and Pakistani players mostly stayed inside their rooms, the hotel lobby was enlivened by the arrival of the South Africans on Tuesday. They are scheduled to play a three-Test series against the Sri Lankans.

India's former South African trainer Adrian Le Roux caught up with coach John Wright early. Present Indian trainer Gregory Allan King shared the physios' feedback with Le Roux, who was instrumental in getting the latter on to the Indian team's bandwagon.

Also holding center stage was star Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya, whose magnificent 130 kept Sri Lanka in the game till the last ball.

Jayasuriya was a much sought-after player for the Indian electronic media and he nearly obliged everyone before disappearing into his room late afternoon.