Here we are in what Ravi Shastri says the business end of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.You are tempted to think it's 3 matches to laying your hands on the coveted ultimate prize,but it's more of having to fight to live the day now.No surprises as to the composition of the last 8.But Pakistan have done remarkably well to top Group A,as coming into the tournament not many would have fancied them to beat Australia and Sri Lanka.Notably,they ended Australia's unbeaten run in World Cups since they were last beaten by none other Pakistan in the Group League stage of the ICC World Cup 1999.And what a show they put up yesterday!They started favourites but to dismiss the West Indies by 10 wickets...fantastic.Now Ashok Malhotra says he won't be surprised if they lift the Cup.I said the same after they beat Sri Lanka!
Bangladesh,on the other hand,in Group B,were so close,yet so far from booking a knockout berth.They finished with 6 points from 4 matches,same as the Windies,but the unfathomable manner in which they surrendered to the latter,which was repeated in their last game against South Africa cost them dear.The cricketing following in Mirpur,Dhaka would have been crestfallen.But cricket has its own way of leveling things,it's said.West Indies,after being stoned at the same venue,whether mistakenly is a question of potential controversy,had to return to play Pakistan for the first Quarter Final.And the crowd favourite,as they have been always,Pakistan 'returned' the humiliation the Carribeans had inflicted on the home team earlier,bowling them out for a paltry 58.A look at yesterday's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium,and you could sense the thrill of being avenged.
I have been in Bangladesh quite a few times and I have noticed that they take their cricket very seriously.I was there when Bangladesh earned for the first time the ticket to play in a World Cup,the 1999 edition,after they beat Scotland in the semifinal of the ICC Trophy and eventually were crowned champions by beating Kenya in a rain truncated match spanning two days.The celebrations that followed the last two wins were memorable.Political separation from the Indian mainland and then Pakistan never dampened the spirit of cricket a wee bit.Even when the Bangladesh cricket team had not yet made their arrival at the big scene,the population had their favourites,namely India and Pakistan,the majority inclined towards the latter.An India-Pakistan clash attracts as much excitement as you can find in India and Pakistan.So,we can safely say that this tournament is still very much alive in the hearts of the Bangladesh cricket fan.
Let's now shift focus on the present.If there were one terribly unpredictable tie in the Quarter Final line up,it's this one.Australia versus India.A wagerer's delight.Evenly matched sides,both having had their shares of clicks and misses.The Indians have been flashy and scratchy.The lower order has added to the worries regarding bowling.Three consecutive failures to capitalise on a formidable platform from the top order and failing to play out the 50 overs while setting the target.Pluses include the sterling touch Tendulkar is in and likelihood to fire in big matches and the all-round form of Yuvraj Singh.Zaheer Khan has been consistent with the ball but the same cannot be said about the rest of the bowling.Munaf Patel is playing because we dare play anyone else,therefore missing a genuine wicket taking option there.A word about him.I strongly feel that the communication between him and the captain isn't the best.I noticed in the matches against England and South Africa that Munaf tends to relax concentration and persistence against lower order batsmen,which proved costly in both matches,Ajmal Shehzad hitting him for a straight six in the former match and Johan Botha punishing him in the latter.He needs to understand that in today's cricket the 'tail-enders' are no mug with the bat,and Johan Botha is only a genuine all-rounder coming in at no.8,it is the duty of the skipper,and the coach,off the field,to ensure this.Over-reliance on spinners has not yet been convincingly answered by Harbhajan Singh,who's bowling well in patches but nowhere near his threatening best.Ravichandran Ashwin was pretty impressive the last day and offers Dhoni an option with the new ball,but was finally included in the playing XI only after a dismal show by Nehra including his shocking last over,rather 4 deliveries,of the South Africa match.I had written earlier that Dhoni has his qualms about playing two specialist right arm off spinners in the team,but Chawla has been anything but consistent with his line and length.
Australia too haven't been firing on all cylinders yet.They started cautiously and convincingly,showing glimpses of flamboyance of the old Australian sides,only for the graph to slip in the last few matches.Brett Lee has been their star performer with the ball,with Tait providing some bursts here and there.The loss of Bollinger haven't helped them,either.But the middle overs management is a worry as their spinners haven't been mention-worthy.Ponting hasn't been in the best of form,but we know him to be one who rises to the big occasion.Shane Watson and Brad Haddin are always threatening to take the game away in the first few overs,but they have shown their frailties once they have been bogged down by some tight bowling.Michael Clarke is known to have a good record against India in India,and Mike Hussey as a replacement for Bollinger no doubt strengthen the batting.It's to be seen how quickly he adjusts to the conditions,though Pakistan match was a tease for him,coming back from his hamstring layoff.
The big question that precedes the match is whether Virender Sehwag will feature in the XI today.He has been reported to be uncertain.It would be most unfortunate if he misses today's match.Because who knows it may be India's last match this edition.He certainly wouldn't like to let go watching by the sidelines.Neither would the cricketing community.
And that's the dismaying prospect.I came across a post on Facebook wondering if this match will be Sachin Tendulkar's last appearance in a World Cup.Shivering,isn't it?It is only coupled by a reasonable assumption that this World Cup is going to the last for Rick Ponting,too.So who bows out today?Sachin or Ricky?
This is also an occasion for India to set the record straight.They have lost to the Kangaroos every time they have met after their triumph over the Aussies in the 1983 World Cup in Chelmsford in their second league encounter.Since then,the Oz have been victorious over the Men In Blue in 1987,1992,1996,1999 and twice in 2003.The last time these two met in a World Cup was the 2003 edition Final at the Wanderers,Johannesburg,where Australia brutally crushed India's hopes of regaining the title.
And with Pakistan waiting for today's winners in the Semifinals,what could be a more mouth watering prospect than an Indo-Pak semifinal?Come 2:30 pm on the clock,Sardar Patel Stadium,Motera,Ahmedabad is going to witness an emotional occasion by all means.
Bangladesh,on the other hand,in Group B,were so close,yet so far from booking a knockout berth.They finished with 6 points from 4 matches,same as the Windies,but the unfathomable manner in which they surrendered to the latter,which was repeated in their last game against South Africa cost them dear.The cricketing following in Mirpur,Dhaka would have been crestfallen.But cricket has its own way of leveling things,it's said.West Indies,after being stoned at the same venue,whether mistakenly is a question of potential controversy,had to return to play Pakistan for the first Quarter Final.And the crowd favourite,as they have been always,Pakistan 'returned' the humiliation the Carribeans had inflicted on the home team earlier,bowling them out for a paltry 58.A look at yesterday's Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium,and you could sense the thrill of being avenged.
I have been in Bangladesh quite a few times and I have noticed that they take their cricket very seriously.I was there when Bangladesh earned for the first time the ticket to play in a World Cup,the 1999 edition,after they beat Scotland in the semifinal of the ICC Trophy and eventually were crowned champions by beating Kenya in a rain truncated match spanning two days.The celebrations that followed the last two wins were memorable.Political separation from the Indian mainland and then Pakistan never dampened the spirit of cricket a wee bit.Even when the Bangladesh cricket team had not yet made their arrival at the big scene,the population had their favourites,namely India and Pakistan,the majority inclined towards the latter.An India-Pakistan clash attracts as much excitement as you can find in India and Pakistan.So,we can safely say that this tournament is still very much alive in the hearts of the Bangladesh cricket fan.
Let's now shift focus on the present.If there were one terribly unpredictable tie in the Quarter Final line up,it's this one.Australia versus India.A wagerer's delight.Evenly matched sides,both having had their shares of clicks and misses.The Indians have been flashy and scratchy.The lower order has added to the worries regarding bowling.Three consecutive failures to capitalise on a formidable platform from the top order and failing to play out the 50 overs while setting the target.Pluses include the sterling touch Tendulkar is in and likelihood to fire in big matches and the all-round form of Yuvraj Singh.Zaheer Khan has been consistent with the ball but the same cannot be said about the rest of the bowling.Munaf Patel is playing because we dare play anyone else,therefore missing a genuine wicket taking option there.A word about him.I strongly feel that the communication between him and the captain isn't the best.I noticed in the matches against England and South Africa that Munaf tends to relax concentration and persistence against lower order batsmen,which proved costly in both matches,Ajmal Shehzad hitting him for a straight six in the former match and Johan Botha punishing him in the latter.He needs to understand that in today's cricket the 'tail-enders' are no mug with the bat,and Johan Botha is only a genuine all-rounder coming in at no.8,it is the duty of the skipper,and the coach,off the field,to ensure this.Over-reliance on spinners has not yet been convincingly answered by Harbhajan Singh,who's bowling well in patches but nowhere near his threatening best.Ravichandran Ashwin was pretty impressive the last day and offers Dhoni an option with the new ball,but was finally included in the playing XI only after a dismal show by Nehra including his shocking last over,rather 4 deliveries,of the South Africa match.I had written earlier that Dhoni has his qualms about playing two specialist right arm off spinners in the team,but Chawla has been anything but consistent with his line and length.
Australia too haven't been firing on all cylinders yet.They started cautiously and convincingly,showing glimpses of flamboyance of the old Australian sides,only for the graph to slip in the last few matches.Brett Lee has been their star performer with the ball,with Tait providing some bursts here and there.The loss of Bollinger haven't helped them,either.But the middle overs management is a worry as their spinners haven't been mention-worthy.Ponting hasn't been in the best of form,but we know him to be one who rises to the big occasion.Shane Watson and Brad Haddin are always threatening to take the game away in the first few overs,but they have shown their frailties once they have been bogged down by some tight bowling.Michael Clarke is known to have a good record against India in India,and Mike Hussey as a replacement for Bollinger no doubt strengthen the batting.It's to be seen how quickly he adjusts to the conditions,though Pakistan match was a tease for him,coming back from his hamstring layoff.
The big question that precedes the match is whether Virender Sehwag will feature in the XI today.He has been reported to be uncertain.It would be most unfortunate if he misses today's match.Because who knows it may be India's last match this edition.He certainly wouldn't like to let go watching by the sidelines.Neither would the cricketing community.
And that's the dismaying prospect.I came across a post on Facebook wondering if this match will be Sachin Tendulkar's last appearance in a World Cup.Shivering,isn't it?It is only coupled by a reasonable assumption that this World Cup is going to the last for Rick Ponting,too.So who bows out today?Sachin or Ricky?
This is also an occasion for India to set the record straight.They have lost to the Kangaroos every time they have met after their triumph over the Aussies in the 1983 World Cup in Chelmsford in their second league encounter.Since then,the Oz have been victorious over the Men In Blue in 1987,1992,1996,1999 and twice in 2003.The last time these two met in a World Cup was the 2003 edition Final at the Wanderers,Johannesburg,where Australia brutally crushed India's hopes of regaining the title.
And with Pakistan waiting for today's winners in the Semifinals,what could be a more mouth watering prospect than an Indo-Pak semifinal?Come 2:30 pm on the clock,Sardar Patel Stadium,Motera,Ahmedabad is going to witness an emotional occasion by all means.
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