Hosts..

  Everyone was talking about India and Sri Lanka when this world cup started but suddenly we have another sub-continent power into the contention. Yes you right in thinking the name of Pakistan.  A team which due to some unknown reasons was never in the spotlight but always was in the wrong spotlight due to some very well known reasons. We have reached on the verge of Knock out stages. Let’s have a look into all the subcontinent contenders.

   Let’s talk about India first. A team which is always has been very close to our hearts. A team which initially was looking very balanced and full of match winners is suddenly looking not more than an ordinary team. This team looks very competitive on the ground even against Ireland and Netherland.  As always heavily dependent on its very strong batting lineup and very sluggish bowling lineup this team is highly vulnerable for doing a miracle anytime. They did one against South Africa. At stage they were looking very comfortable with 267-1 on the scoreboard but within no time they were on the ground defending 296. Which is by no means is a difficult score to chase down in current scenario of one day cricket.  Still they again looked competitive and lost fighting. I am not questioning India’s strength with the bat.  A mere fact which could be of little concern is that in most of their WC matches this season they haven’t taken a single wicket in first 10 overs with the shining new kookaburra. Even against Netherlands they were wicket less in first 12 overs. So, let’s hope they will improve as the WC gains the real momentum in the knock out stages.

  Now we have the Lankan tigers in the queue. Till now they are justifying for what they were talked about. The most complete team of this world cup. Yes their openers are not in the greatest of the forms. But their middle order full of experience is not letting them down by any means. Bowling too looks in good rhythm with Mailnga and Kulasekra holding the initial attack and backed by a very strong spin bowling lineup which includes legendry Murali. So, nothing much to talk about this team just keep on watching them through the knock outs.

  So, last but not the least now we have Pakistan. Very rightly spotted by Mr. Sourav Ganguly and warned initially that please be aware of these miracle boys. A team with some highly talented players and the most important factor they have nothing to lose. They played against Sri Lankans like real match winners and did the same in the end. This match actually changed the way they were looked at in the tournament. Their batting as always is blended with some young enthusiasts and a few experienced ones. Younis and Misbah is such a bonus with their loads of experience. Bowling too looked very result oriented with a real talent Umar Gul on the top supported well by not expected Shahid Afridi. But the X factor is that even with some ordinary talent they could be very dangerous because of the sub-continent conditions. These conditions which were talked about a lot before the starts of this world cup are haven’t been utilized much by any other sub-continent teams. But, Shahid Afridi got the maximum of the low and slow pitches while Younis & Misbah make most of the opportunities. Recently what they have done against Aussies is a real eye opener. So, keep looking for these miracle boys and hope for real action as we have one more potential champions in the making.



First left turn..

This edition will be the 11th one. So, we don't have a long history like test cricket but still even this short one have everything in it. 1975, west Indies and then 1979, England nothing much changed and nothing much to surprise anybody happened. The great West Indies never allowed anyone to say or do anything in the big arena. A team adorned with legends like Clive lloyd, Marshal, Key and Sir Vivian Richards looked things so easy for themselves that even for them it wasn't a surprise. But then something was waiting to be happened in 1983. A legend named Kapil Dev have something in mind. Right from the start it was all surprises. West Indies beaten by India in a league match. They came back hard and then didn't lost a single match till their Final's birth is secured. But on the other hand India keeps on fighting and Kapil Dev keeps on surprising everyone. Match against Zimbabwe didn't have recording in to watch and hence we can't cherish those memories the same way again. In my opinion that was the best ODI match played till date and Kapil's innings was the best inning till date. India batting first at one stage were 17 for 5...then stepped in Kapil Dev. And match turned on its head. Kapil made 175* of 138 balls which includes 16 fours and 6 sixes. India finished with 266 which was more than a safe score in that era. India won the match by 33 runs. Suddenly Kapil Dev became The Kapil Dev. India hardly looked back from there and won the world cup even after they were started it as underdogs. West Indies regime came to an end. But Indian's never started.

Top Contenders

This format of world cup leaves every good team in contention for the upcoming cricketing carnival.
1. Australia: At present number 1 ranked ODI team. Once again Australia will start their campaign as favorites. Whatever have happened in last couple of years have certainly hampered the image of this once invincible team. But the impact is only that this time they are not the certain winners but only the hot favorites. They defeated England so convincingly in the first three ODIs of the ongoing 7 match series like nothing much has happened in last three months. But one man has got his lessons and that's why he is no more in the scene, no prizes of getting him right. He is Mr. Ponting. But even without him this team is once again looking well equipped to win just another world cup. A very good top order with Watson as an icing on the cake. A good middle order with hussey and white holding the key. The only concern is their bowling attack. I am not questing the talent here but certainly the form. Mitchy, lee and tait all are struggling. Mitchy once dropped of Ashes. Lee and tait are there without much cricket in the international arena in last 6 months. Also their spin slot is still not filled up by a promising guy. There is a long list for this slot Huritz, Doherty and smith. But at the moment its hussey who is doing the trick. Funny. But overall I will give Aussies 7.5/10 for their preprataion for the world cup.
Players to watch out for: Shane Watson, Brett Lee, Micheal Hussey.

2. South Afrcia: CHOKERS..This is the name this team is best known with. They always start the world cup as favorites. But, someone above in those heavens don't think so. 1992, 1996 and 2003 always they were never beaten by a team on the groud but thier luck and thier destiny keeps them denying the glory of making it a world cup finals. In 1992, D&L method gives them a target of 22 runs of 1 ball while earlier it was of 13 balls. In 1996, Alan Donald did the trick and got run out in last over when victory was seeming to be very much possible. In 2003, a tie was the last thing they needed to make their tag of Chokers as permanent. So, now they will need to make a fresh start. And I think they have already made it. A team bubbling with young blood and hugely experienced cricketers is willing to make their mark this time. With the likes of Smith, Amla, Devilliers and Kallis in their batting order. Steyn, Morkel and Tsotsobe making the bowling line up as dangerous as it could be. And the most important factor to keep in mind is that everyone in this list is playing well at moment. Now the thing worth questioning here is that How these names will deliver on the subcontinent wickets. For the time being put this question aside and lets hope that they will deliver their best. Overall an impressive rating of 7.5/10 is what they deserve.
Players to watch out for: Amla, Kallis, Steyn, Duminy.

3. Sri Lanka: Well, so now we are down to the most favorite subcontinent team to win this edition of world cup. A well balanced team. Most suited to play in these conditions and the most important factor is that they have 4 of their group matches on their home soil. Now lets have a look upon their line up. Batting, seems to be in good shape. Dilshan and tharanga at the opening slot. Sanga and Mahela in the middle order and Mathews, Parera in the lower middle order. I don't think any team has a better line up than this one for the subcontinent pitches. Bowling department is too well equipped with Deadly accuracy of Kulasekra, Malinga Murali and Randiv. Part-timers Mathews and Parera are among the best for this part of the world. So, overall I am not able to feel thinnest of the doubt to put them above Aussies and proteas at the moment. So a 8/10 for Lankan tigers.
Players to watch out for: Dilshan, Mathews, Sangakara, Malinga.

4. India: Probably the biggest name in the world of cricket and this is because of some amazing facts and events that this team connects to. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, IPL, Richest cricketing body are to name a few of them. And yes also the another name to be among the hot favorites. I am saying this because of an pretty young balanced side that India have. Unlike a strong building which is strongest at the base this team is at its best at the top. We have three big names Sachin, Sehwag and Gambhir sitting at the top and probably among the best bet India have to win this world cup. A mix middle order with the likes of Raina, Kohli, Yuvraj and Dhoni. A decent looking bowling line up Praveen, Ashish, Harbhajan and Zaheer holding the key. And a big hope Yusuf Pathan sitting just in the middle. A young prospect who have suddenly been turned into a world cup hero even before the start of the event. Don't worry this is not at all a new thing in India where Cricket had never been just a game after 1983. So, do you think that this team have that stuff in them that they can beat the teams I just mentioned above in the blog? I am hoping against hope like every other Indian. For now I can give them a decent 6.5/10.
Players to watch out for: Sachin, Zaheer, Sehwag, Raina.

5. England: Last 3 years have changed the way we talk about Australian cricket and this is because of one team. That is England. Even the latest knock out punch that they have got in the form of an Ashes lose on their home soil have been given by this very team. And if you have beaten Australia then by default you have become the favorites. This is another team who is up there in the contention because of their young blood. Some very talented players in the form have Trott, Morgan, Wright, Shahzad and Yardy. Some experienced ones like Struass, Kevin, Bell and Anderson. And a good spinner which is the utmost requirement for this world cup Swann. A very good looking complete team. But the question is like all previous versions will this english team be able to deliver on the subcontinent pitches? I don't know. Let's see. 6.5/10 for them as I am doubting the very fact.
Players to watch out for: Trott, Bell, Swann, Kevin.


   This concludes my list of favorites. You must be thinking where is Pakistan. So, let me answer you. "Don't be surprised if Pakistan makes it to Semis" this statement comes from Mr. Harsha Bhogle. So, I guess everyone must have got their answers.