The mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great great.....yeah, of all finals has come and gone. India edged Pakistan in their semi final encounter of 2011 world cup at Mohali in a spirited fight. Pakistan maintains their losing record against the Indians in the World Cup history by 5-0 just like NewZealanders who cannot advance to the finals after reaching semi finals six times in all their world cup appearances.
The current Pakistani team is by far the weakest when facing India in the World Cup. Look at any team combination of Pakistan in WC's and it had a good blend of experience, youth and a terrific bowling combination. Contrary to that, India is not the strongest, but definitely has a stronger team on the paper with a power packed batting line up.
Pakistan can make a match of the current bowling combination as well. They cannot defeat Australia for nothing. But what baffles me was a clear lack of intensity even when they were fielding and while batting as well. As a fan, it did not really excite me when someone hits a four or a six. Only point where I was eager to watch was when Umar Akmal was batting. He has definitely showed aggression. And who hasn't? Misbah ul-Haq. He may not be your 'in your face' kind of player but try and decipher his innings and please let me know if you get a hang of it.
I missed watching Sehwag's blitzkrieg and once the storm has passed the pitch turned out to be a slow turning track which defied the expectations of commentators, players and captains. The match was decided in India's favour and did you notice Harbhajan's extra ordinary intensity when Shahid Afridi got holed out? That is over action for you folks in his home ground which his pathetic bowling display so far in this world cup is forcing him to do.
After the match, my younger brother was saying that the NZ - SL semifinal clash was better than Ind - Pak. And he is right on the money there. SL had a mid match wobble after losing their top order, NZ had more than a sniff. You can see the remorse of NZ's Daniel Vettori, the loyal servant of his country.
Players were relaxed, Afridi is having a word or two with Sachin, Gul was wayward and the mother of all expressions is by Afridi, during the post match conference which anyone could hardly believe. He sounded as if it was another league match and gave full credit to India. He was smiling and enjoying coz he lost to India? As much as I love Afridi and the way he has led this rookie Pakistan team to semis, I am at loss of words to fathom his expressions.
My dear Shahid bhai, I had so much belief in you that you would lead your team from the front in this historic encounter. May be you must have done it. May be you must have hidden your tears when you closed your eyes with your hands on it when you sensed Pakistan was losing or was it an itch? I'd like to think the former. Misbah's batting was a mystery. And why was he not sent a message to go for an onslaught a little earlier? Did you not realise it it was too little too late? Why was the power play not taken a little earlier to ease the pressure on the other Pakistani batsmen? The 4 four drop catches that your team has given to Sachin Tendulkar is way beyond being courteous to the opposition. And the joy at the presentation is inexplicable. All this and more, begs one to ask the dreaded question, Is this match fixed?
I was just watching the match. But most of the fans who haven't seen previous WC encounters may not understand what I am barking here. After the fall of Pakistani's 6th wicket crackers have been going on near my house. High school kids were shouting on the streets and I noticed one guy was coming out and whistling on the road as India was inching closer to victory. The sky was lit and it made me wonder are we having a early Diwali this year.
The intensity was there in the people in the stadium, in the Indian fans and in my Pakistani brothers. Was it really there in the Pakistani team? It may have been masqueraded.
Want to see some intensity? Watch Kumar Sangakarra's Sri Lanka in the finals against India.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
India vs Australia Pre-View
So India meets Australia in the World Cup Quarterfinals at the Motera. Is this a bane or a boon? Bane to the cricket fans who are rooting for India. David Boon for the Aussies who wants to prove their point and go one up over the cricket crazy nation and redeem their loss to Pakistan. But can Australia really do it if the pitch is doctored to Indian needs while predominantly supporting spin? I doubt. The chances of an Indian win are high if India is batting first, as said bymany commentators in the post match discussion, which is true.
What will be the par score for the pitch batting first?I believe it should be nothing less than 270 to have a semblance of a chance against the mighty Aussies even without the likes of 'The Invincibles' team. After scoring 270+, India should defend the score, probably sticking to the same bowling line up which worked against the Windies. Zaheer Khan and Ashwin should open the bowling. I again expect our medium pacers to get tonked barring an exceptional reverse swinging spell from the pace spearhead Khan in the later overs.
Australia is definitely not as scary as it once was to the opposition. It has lost it's invincibility tag but somehow somewhere you still do not want to bet against them. It is primarily because India's bowling surely is not effective to pick 10 wickets or contain the opposition to less than 280 even if the track is assisting the home team. Pakistan sent Australians into submission. But can it's neighbour with a strong batting line up,do it with some fine all round performance is anyone's guess.
Team India is not effective with its bowling line up and not so commanding
in the slog overs when it comes to death batting. Punter has got his work cut facing India. Unless a magnificient performance from the Little Master without a century or a four for by Ashwin, it is difficult to see India crossing the finish line. And if they do, the semi finals should be a blockbuster match with Pakistan in Mohali. (The writer boldly assumes that Pakistan defeats WI in their Quarter final match up)
A match (Ind vs Aus) that is highly anticipated can just prove to be a one-sided affair with just 10 overs of fiery bowling by Lee and Tait. So do not pin your hopes nor get overly excited if Indians commit blunders on the field. Try to enjoy the aggressive bowling and the audacious batting by both the teams.
Kohli is good, Yuvraj is back in form, Tendulkar may not be accounted for big matches, Ashwin can spin the ball and Dhoni and Raina can anchor the innings. The batting line up as always look so sound on paper. Infact it supported that theory till the 40th over in this World Cup.
The bat swinging momentum has to go beyond 40 overs and survive till the 50th to put an end to Aussie dominance in International cricket. India famously stopped Australia twice when they were on a 16 Test match winning streak, Once in India in 2001 and once in Australia in 2004.
Can they do it again and claim the title dragon slayers once for all?
No team wants to given an inch in the much billed match of the tournament, but one person holds the key to provide a rousing start to this match as he did so far in this tournament by hitting a boundary off the first ball he faced in each of the matches. It is not Sachin Tendulkar, but his once clone, Virender Sehwag.
What will be the par score for the pitch batting first?I believe it should be nothing less than 270 to have a semblance of a chance against the mighty Aussies even without the likes of 'The Invincibles' team. After scoring 270+, India should defend the score, probably sticking to the same bowling line up which worked against the Windies. Zaheer Khan and Ashwin should open the bowling. I again expect our medium pacers to get tonked barring an exceptional reverse swinging spell from the pace spearhead Khan in the later overs.
Australia is definitely not as scary as it once was to the opposition. It has lost it's invincibility tag but somehow somewhere you still do not want to bet against them. It is primarily because India's bowling surely is not effective to pick 10 wickets or contain the opposition to less than 280 even if the track is assisting the home team. Pakistan sent Australians into submission. But can it's neighbour with a strong batting line up,do it with some fine all round performance is anyone's guess.
Team India is not effective with its bowling line up and not so commanding
in the slog overs when it comes to death batting. Punter has got his work cut facing India. Unless a magnificient performance from the Little Master without a century or a four for by Ashwin, it is difficult to see India crossing the finish line. And if they do, the semi finals should be a blockbuster match with Pakistan in Mohali. (The writer boldly assumes that Pakistan defeats WI in their Quarter final match up)
A match (Ind vs Aus) that is highly anticipated can just prove to be a one-sided affair with just 10 overs of fiery bowling by Lee and Tait. So do not pin your hopes nor get overly excited if Indians commit blunders on the field. Try to enjoy the aggressive bowling and the audacious batting by both the teams.
Kohli is good, Yuvraj is back in form, Tendulkar may not be accounted for big matches, Ashwin can spin the ball and Dhoni and Raina can anchor the innings. The batting line up as always look so sound on paper. Infact it supported that theory till the 40th over in this World Cup.
The bat swinging momentum has to go beyond 40 overs and survive till the 50th to put an end to Aussie dominance in International cricket. India famously stopped Australia twice when they were on a 16 Test match winning streak, Once in India in 2001 and once in Australia in 2004.
Can they do it again and claim the title dragon slayers once for all?
No team wants to given an inch in the much billed match of the tournament, but one person holds the key to provide a rousing start to this match as he did so far in this tournament by hitting a boundary off the first ball he faced in each of the matches. It is not Sachin Tendulkar, but his once clone, Virender Sehwag.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Mid World Cup wrap up
Post only for the mad cricket freaks which India always finds even after the launch of IPL and the excessive cricket syndrome faced by players, fans and commentators alike.
Kenya's Odhiambo - Going uphill or downhill ?
First things first. So the break up for the World Cup leading to the Quarter finals. India has every chance to be there in the Quarters as projected otherwise by some media and news channes just to increase their website hits or TRP ratings. But this site needs none and hence putting news first.
Kevin O' Brien (Everyone loves the Irish)
India may not qualify for the Quarter finals if Bangaldesh defeats South Africa, which is highly improbable. And if India defeats West Indies they are through like a yacht in troubled water. For suppoze, just, suppoze, WI defeats India, India still has 7 points. They only have to see that the NRR to be a maintained a tad above England, i.e, assuming Eng defeats WI. England has to defeat West Indies to stay in contention for the Quarters and to stand at 7 points after the victory. Currently they have 5 points from 5 matches. So if they do not defeat WI, they are out of the tournament because other teams are standing at 6 or 7 points. And as projected by expert analysts in the studios, one need not have to wait till the last league to finalize the group combination.
Imran Tahir (Interesting to find a good leg spinner in SA)
Wondering why I am taking so much pain to educate you challenged freaks, I just had an early dinner before 9 p.m and hence the energy. On to other side of the group, i.e, Group A in all possibility Pak & SL can occupy the 3rd and the 4th slots, which means India - Pakistan Quarterfinal clash is on, assuming India defeats WI and goes to 2 place in their respective group and Pak takes 3rd position in their group. Go through the points table and the matches left for each team and logically (which is a challenge in itself) predict the possible outcomes to validate my Pak & SL taking the third and fourth slots or vice versa.
Shahid Afridi - He is called 'Boom boom' for a reason
Folks who've said that this World Cup 2011 is boring even before the first ball is bowled eat their words, hats and socks. This has been a format so tailor made for the subcontinent teams especially to see that they atleast make it to the Quarter finals so that people will be coming to the stadiums or glued to their TV sets.
Highhlights:
1) Sachin scored century twice in this series so far and once India came close to losing but avoided it with a belt (read tie) and lost the second match where he registered a Nelson number.
Bottomline: You can safely bet India losing the match whenever the master blaster scores a ton.
2) Sachin gives his wicket to a Irish bowler who is bowling to the maestro for the first time in his career. Nothing new but for the 18 yr old Dockrell only has to tell this story to his grandfather.
3) Dhoni forced his fan to work beyond his capabilities in SA match sticking to Ashish Nehra in the last over. There is only so much limit with which a fan can operate. Bring in Ashwin and Raina in place of Chawla and Yousuf.
4) Ross Taylor's knock against Pakistan should be the knock of the tournament.
5) Kevin 'O Brien's ton stands second in their meticulous yet audacious run chase against England.
6) Kenya's cricket is at a dismal stage and you would hardly believe that they were once pitching for test status.
7) Bangla Tigers did their part in holding wins against the minnows to keep their hopes afloat and possibly expecting a miracle like they had it in 2007.
8) Look at the games that the famous Eden Gardens has got to host this WC. SA vs Ire, Ire vs Ned, Zim vs Ken.
9) Sourav Ganguly is making his debut as a commentator and he is ok. He is trying not to make many mistakes but clearly lacking a cricketing acumen like Sanjay Manjrekar.
10) Shahid Afridi had a dream start to this WC campaign as a captain and boy did he lead from the front. He only has to click in his batting to take his team to the semis.
11) No club dancers cheer leaders in this WC.
12) Lot of tickets were given to the club members that is virtually impossible for an outsider to get a ticket for the finals. Some were sold in black, white and blue.
13) Watch out for the celebrities that grace the finals even if India is not playing it.
14) Some replays were deliberately cut short after a players dismissial if incase he was found using expletives.
15) Commentary exclusively in Hindi, in Star Sports? Imagine the revenues broadcasters wants to cash in airing these matches.
16) Australia are still continuing their unbeaten run despite not having the likes of McGrath, Warne, Waugh, Gilchrist etc.
17) We desis are all sadistic enough to see Aussies getting knocked before the finals. It is there in our blood to see them going home before the finals and it is there in Aussies blood to reach and win the finals.
18) Why does Bill Lawry and Richie Benaud not do commentary in the sub continent?
19) Why Navjot Singh Sidhu is still surviving with his commentary? Why don't the English rip his clothes for his English and the infamous quotes. Sidhu, taking a line out of your book, "It is better to prevent and prepare than repent and repair". I had indigestion that day after listening to it.
20) Plain old simple theory for the retards who are madly behind India for the WC glory - Countries hosting the World cup hasn't won the cup. Yet, for a friend of mine who is an eternal optimist like John Wright, Jai ho !
India's world cup squad for 2011
MSD has finally given a thrashing to his batsmen saying, play for the country but not for the gallery. Hopefully that will set things straight heading into the knock stages of the tournament.
Kenya's Odhiambo - Going uphill or downhill ?
First things first. So the break up for the World Cup leading to the Quarter finals. India has every chance to be there in the Quarters as projected otherwise by some media and news channes just to increase their website hits or TRP ratings. But this site needs none and hence putting news first.
Kevin O' Brien (Everyone loves the Irish)
India may not qualify for the Quarter finals if Bangaldesh defeats South Africa, which is highly improbable. And if India defeats West Indies they are through like a yacht in troubled water. For suppoze, just, suppoze, WI defeats India, India still has 7 points. They only have to see that the NRR to be a maintained a tad above England, i.e, assuming Eng defeats WI. England has to defeat West Indies to stay in contention for the Quarters and to stand at 7 points after the victory. Currently they have 5 points from 5 matches. So if they do not defeat WI, they are out of the tournament because other teams are standing at 6 or 7 points. And as projected by expert analysts in the studios, one need not have to wait till the last league to finalize the group combination.
Imran Tahir (Interesting to find a good leg spinner in SA)
Wondering why I am taking so much pain to educate you challenged freaks, I just had an early dinner before 9 p.m and hence the energy. On to other side of the group, i.e, Group A in all possibility Pak & SL can occupy the 3rd and the 4th slots, which means India - Pakistan Quarterfinal clash is on, assuming India defeats WI and goes to 2 place in their respective group and Pak takes 3rd position in their group. Go through the points table and the matches left for each team and logically (which is a challenge in itself) predict the possible outcomes to validate my Pak & SL taking the third and fourth slots or vice versa.
Shahid Afridi - He is called 'Boom boom' for a reason
Folks who've said that this World Cup 2011 is boring even before the first ball is bowled eat their words, hats and socks. This has been a format so tailor made for the subcontinent teams especially to see that they atleast make it to the Quarter finals so that people will be coming to the stadiums or glued to their TV sets.
Highhlights:
1) Sachin scored century twice in this series so far and once India came close to losing but avoided it with a belt (read tie) and lost the second match where he registered a Nelson number.
Bottomline: You can safely bet India losing the match whenever the master blaster scores a ton.
2) Sachin gives his wicket to a Irish bowler who is bowling to the maestro for the first time in his career. Nothing new but for the 18 yr old Dockrell only has to tell this story to his grandfather.
3) Dhoni forced his fan to work beyond his capabilities in SA match sticking to Ashish Nehra in the last over. There is only so much limit with which a fan can operate. Bring in Ashwin and Raina in place of Chawla and Yousuf.
4) Ross Taylor's knock against Pakistan should be the knock of the tournament.
5) Kevin 'O Brien's ton stands second in their meticulous yet audacious run chase against England.
6) Kenya's cricket is at a dismal stage and you would hardly believe that they were once pitching for test status.
7) Bangla Tigers did their part in holding wins against the minnows to keep their hopes afloat and possibly expecting a miracle like they had it in 2007.
8) Look at the games that the famous Eden Gardens has got to host this WC. SA vs Ire, Ire vs Ned, Zim vs Ken.
9) Sourav Ganguly is making his debut as a commentator and he is ok. He is trying not to make many mistakes but clearly lacking a cricketing acumen like Sanjay Manjrekar.
10) Shahid Afridi had a dream start to this WC campaign as a captain and boy did he lead from the front. He only has to click in his batting to take his team to the semis.
11) No
12) Lot of tickets were given to the club members that is virtually impossible for an outsider to get a ticket for the finals. Some were sold in black, white and blue.
13) Watch out for the celebrities that grace the finals even if India is not playing it.
14) Some replays were deliberately cut short after a players dismissial if incase he was found using expletives.
15) Commentary exclusively in Hindi, in Star Sports? Imagine the revenues broadcasters wants to cash in airing these matches.
16) Australia are still continuing their unbeaten run despite not having the likes of McGrath, Warne, Waugh, Gilchrist etc.
17) We desis are all sadistic enough to see Aussies getting knocked before the finals. It is there in our blood to see them going home before the finals and it is there in Aussies blood to reach and win the finals.
18) Why does Bill Lawry and Richie Benaud not do commentary in the sub continent?
19) Why Navjot Singh Sidhu is still surviving with his commentary? Why don't the English rip his clothes for his English and the infamous quotes. Sidhu, taking a line out of your book, "It is better to prevent and prepare than repent and repair". I had indigestion that day after listening to it.
20) Plain old simple theory for the retards who are madly behind India for the WC glory - Countries hosting the World cup hasn't won the cup. Yet, for a friend of mine who is an eternal optimist like John Wright, Jai ho !
India's world cup squad for 2011
MSD has finally given a thrashing to his batsmen saying, play for the country but not for the gallery. Hopefully that will set things straight heading into the knock stages of the tournament.
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