The pessimists might argue that whenever India performs well in the practice matches,it will not perform well in the Main World Cup matches;but it must be pointed out that last time,the 2 practice matches India played before the World Cup-2007 were against 2 Teams,who were so worse(Netherlands and West Indies-this team will either perform brilliant occasionally,and horrible mostly) that they could hardly post a sizeable score as a target for us.So,it hardly gave an indication of how India might perform when it's forced to chase some 250+ scores.
On the other hand,this time,India defeated the current number one ranked ODI Team Australia(Depleted though they are of the 2 biggest stars of their 2007 campaign.) and also New Zealand,whose recent track record in ODIs might be worse,but then they're always known to perform better in World Cups(4 time Semifinallists),than they normally perform in the other ODIs;off-course without creating any major upsets like knocking out the Tournament favorite et al.
While,not everything looked perfect,there's no doubt that India has the best Team to pick the World Cup and also,the best Conditions(Playing at home.).Nothing less than winning the Cup will satisfy the fans,not even a Runners-up position like in 2003;might look acceptable now,as there aren't many formidable opponents,like in the past.
South Africa looks like a perfectly balanced team,but apart from already bearing the "Chokers" tag for repeatedly losing in SemiFinals,despite having much better line-up on those occasions(In 1999,you can rely even on a no.9 batsman to score runs,so deep was their Battingline-up.);they have not won any Tri-series either since 2002;let's see if they are mentally strong enough to overcome their past failures.
Among the other Teams,despite lacking Mathew Hayden(Top-scorer of 2007 Edition),Glenn McGrath(Leading Wicket-taker of 2007 edition) and the destructive Gilchrist;I'm sure the current Australian team will reach the Quarterfinals undefeated,as I don't find any team in their Group,who can defeat them in an ODI.
As for India,it will again begin its campaign against Bangladesh,a Team against which it lost miserably in their previous World Cup encounter.If the players are mentally fit,I don't think India will find it difficult to defeat Bangladesh.
On the other hand,this time,India defeated the current number one ranked ODI Team Australia(Depleted though they are of the 2 biggest stars of their 2007 campaign.) and also New Zealand,whose recent track record in ODIs might be worse,but then they're always known to perform better in World Cups(4 time Semifinallists),than they normally perform in the other ODIs;off-course without creating any major upsets like knocking out the Tournament favorite et al.
While,not everything looked perfect,there's no doubt that India has the best Team to pick the World Cup and also,the best Conditions(Playing at home.).Nothing less than winning the Cup will satisfy the fans,not even a Runners-up position like in 2003;might look acceptable now,as there aren't many formidable opponents,like in the past.
South Africa looks like a perfectly balanced team,but apart from already bearing the "Chokers" tag for repeatedly losing in SemiFinals,despite having much better line-up on those occasions(In 1999,you can rely even on a no.9 batsman to score runs,so deep was their Battingline-up.);they have not won any Tri-series either since 2002;let's see if they are mentally strong enough to overcome their past failures.
Among the other Teams,despite lacking Mathew Hayden(Top-scorer of 2007 Edition),Glenn McGrath(Leading Wicket-taker of 2007 edition) and the destructive Gilchrist;I'm sure the current Australian team will reach the Quarterfinals undefeated,as I don't find any team in their Group,who can defeat them in an ODI.
As for India,it will again begin its campaign against Bangladesh,a Team against which it lost miserably in their previous World Cup encounter.If the players are mentally fit,I don't think India will find it difficult to defeat Bangladesh.
1 comments:
The game against Bangladesh is vita...
1975, 79, 87, 92, 99, 2007. India lost their opening games
96 and 2003 they won their opening games but against the minnows
Only in 83 did India beat a team of merit (WI) in their opening game and went on to win the world cup.
This year Bangladesh is a team of merit. Not minnows
That is why Chanakys says "Its just another do-or-die game" :-)
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