I wont lie by saying that I am enjoying India's performance at the World Cup.

This was supposed to be the strongest batting line up of the tournament. But, they have struggled to bat out the 50 overs most of the times.

Often, we have posted scores that are just above par, where a small effort from the opposition will take them home. This batting line up should be able to out bat the opposition. In fact, almost every time Sachin and Sehwag have given them the ideal start. But invariably the middle order has collapsed. Gautam Gambhir has been impatient. Virat Kohli doesnt look comfortable at any other position than at No. 3. Dhoni is clearly struggling. Yusuf has lost his place.

It has been upto Yuvi and Raina to finish off the innings and for that they have to bat considerable number of overs.

On the contrary, The Indian Bowlers have done a decent job. It hasn't been a terrifying one. But it hasn't given the opposition batsman easy times at the wicket. Zaheer has, as expected,bamboozled the batsmen. and whenever they have tried to get better of him they have found themselves in trouble. Harbhajan has had a grip on batsmen as well. Though he hasn't run through the line ups like an encounter specialist, he has had them under scrutiny like an witty policeman. Yuvi has benefited from this. Batsman tried to score of him and there is where he got them out. R Ashwin has done what he was paid for. Ball the new ball. Control the run rate - get a few wickets and once the ball has lost its shine - give it to Zaheer.

Nehra and Patel have been a bit of worry for the captain. They have been bad in patches. And because the Indian batsman have not posted huge score, these two have been facing additional pressure while bowling.

This was the reason, I was surprised to see both up them play against Pakistan. In March - April, the wickets are expected to get slower and lower. Hence spin is an easy option over pace. Moreover, Mohali is a belter of a wicket and Pakistan love such medium pacers.

While watching the match a number of times commentators raised the issue of not playing Ashwin. Probably, MSD knew something that no one else knew, may be there was a bit of dew expected, or something else..

In the post match presentation, he was the 1st one to admit that he had misread the pitch. It happened to be a slow turner and hence the target score came down to 250 from 320. The target of 260 seemed to be just above par. Early wickets became key for India and it was important that the new ball does not go for runs.

Ironically, Munaf and Ashish happened to be the best bowlers of the day for India. They kept the batsmen under control and also got wickets at important time. They balled with purpose and balled with fire. They were here for business. The second ball that Munaf balled clocked 145 kmph. That was the defining moment of the innings. They didn't want the Pakistani batsman on the wicket. It was nice to see the Indian fired up for a change - Did anyone notice how vocal Sachin was?

So now, the stage is set for the Sachin Tendulkar (sorry, I could not find any superlative adjective for him) to have his day of glory. From being a ball - boy in 1987 WC to being the man of 2011 WC. He probably is writing his own script, directing it and playing a lead role as well.

I wish he scores a century, gets 5 wickets and takes a few catches while India are is on its way to Victory at Wankhede.

April 2, 2011 should be officially claimed as SACHIN TENDULKAR DAY !!!

The WEDNESDAY

I am happy about the way World Cup has gone so far.

We have had some good games, close contests as well as surprises. Teams have played with aggression but have maintained dignity on the field.

For once Australia has been thrown out of the contest. That assures good days for cricket. I hope they learn lessons like sportsman spirit and mutual respect sooner rather than later.

The fact that Pakistan has reached Semi Finals has pleased me.

I had rated them over England in the build up.

Pakistan has the bowling attack and the batting depth you need in a ODI.

Afridi and Razzaq are allrouders any team would be proud of. Umar Gul and Shoaib Akhtar are an ideal opening attack. Saeed Ajmal is just a kind of spinner you would want in the side.

The secrete of winning cricket matches is the have wicket taking bowlers. Pakistan have a handful. Their batting may look weak but Umar Akmal, Yonis Khan, Kamran Akmal can score decent runs against any attack. Add to that late order explosives of Razzak and a hope that Afridi believes in his batting a bit more. Moreover, they have a reputation of not doing what is expected of them. So if its Pakistan, nothing come as a surprise.

The other team to look forward in this World Cup is SL. Though this team too has not performed like a Rock Star they have quietly made their way into the Quarter Final and they start favorites to meet NZ in the Semis.

New Zealand was expected to go to the second round. But like in all major tournaments, they have again achieved what no one thought they would. Their recent for was embarrassing even for the minnows of World Cricket. And when they were up against the "Chokers" one felt that they had a good chance of making it to the next level. However, I will be surprised if they make it to the Finals.

South Africa did what they do the best. Won all the league matches comprehensively - topped the group - and lost their 1st knock out match. Deja vu, if you recall 1996 World Cup. On the other hand, England are fighting hard to stay in the tournament.

I wonder what stuck the ECB. English players have been on tour since November. They had a tough time in Australia but held on the Win the Ashes. Hardly got time to celebrate their victory as the Aussies came hard at them in ODI series. However, an ODI series in Australia would have never been a warm up before the World Cup in India.

This might be the toughest 4 months that and English cricketer will ever experience. No wonder 5 memebers of their original World Cup squad have returned back home. Many of them due to injuries and the recent one due to depression.

When I read about Michael Yardy, I cant stop wondering how strong our Indian players are. They have won almost everything and everywhere in the last year or so. They lost just one match in the league games. They had convincing victories even when they have not played their best cricket. But still people don't want to believe in this team.

I fail to understand the logic behind these statements...

"India loses every time Sachin scores a century" ... the stats say something else

"India cant bat even for 50 ovrs"

"MSD should be kicked out" I think he is the best wicket keeper in the world today and far better than any other Indian keepers.

"Sehwag is hopeless" .... and the bowlers all over fear his presence...

I know these guys have not been at their best. But no one should expect them too. Is it possible to be on your toes everyday. Everybody has a dull day. The beauty is that even when we are not playing up to the potential we manage to win matches.

I doubt if this is a typical negative mentality that every Indian is proud of or just mediocre way of living in the belief that the top spot is not for us. Whatever it is, its time we get out of this mindset and be proud of what we are. I think this team can play with a bit of arrogance around them . This team is right up there in my books.

We are peaking at the right time possibly but at this point I am happy. If Pakistan breaks the jinx and wins against India at Mohali I will be disappointed but not heart broken.

Now on, being the best in business is not going to be enough. We need a bit of luck to win the cup. But if we look at MSD's record as a captain, we can include luck in our plans as well.

The next 2 matches the most important matches this team is ever going to play.

A game against Pakistan might have come a bit earlier in the tournament. Ideally, it would have been the FINAL CLASH. But that would have been too dramatic.

So THE WEDNESDAY is all set to witness the mother of all clashes. Fans will keep watch every second in the clock tick away. Experts might look for every single move to analyse, Media will search for superlatives that might explain the way the 2 teams play.

I wish to see it along with my Pakistani friends. Moreover I hope it is a good game and by the end of the day its CRICKET who wins the hearts of people.

So in the Final I expect India to beat SL and ultimately win the world cup.

Not just because that's they way I and other million Indian fans think hope and pray.

Not just because its a cricket match and India cannot lose it.

Not just because India should win the world cup.

Not just because SL should not win the match

Not just because I still remember Kolkata 96 and want Vinod Kambli to have a last smile.

Not just because I am an Indian.

But because the finals will be played in Mumbai.

because Mumbai is the home of this one man. '

because this man is probably playing his last world cup, surely his last in India.

because this one man has brought delight to everyone who watched him play.

because this one man has served the game devotedly for last 22 years. because he has given so much to the game that he has been a synonym of cricket.

The only way we can acknowledge his feats is by WINNING THE WORLD CUP in Mumbai.

Had John Adair watched him play he would have made TEAM AND TASK a subset of the INDIVIDUAL

Because this one man is SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR.

my image

Simon Go Back

Simon Speller, of all the people I know, comes into the class and says

"339 and still you could not beat us!!!"

I accept that it was one of the most irritating match I have seen. Both the teams let the advantage go by some silly cricket.

Last ball of the Indian innings, Zaheer and Munaf try to cheek in a second run and in the process score none because Munaf scored a short run and Zaheer got run out.

Last over of the England innings Shahzad hits a six and then only thing India could hope for was a tie. And Tie it was.

We were happy that India had not lost the match. But that gave England (a not so favourite side) 1 unwanted point and Simon - a chance to speak.

So as soon as Simon comments over India's bowling attack I remind him that Ireland are not far behind from the English score of 327.

The lecture went on. Every time Simon tried to get cheeky I updated him with the score. The staunch supporter kept saying that 2 more wickets and England are home. But the wickets never came.

At around 3.40pm GMT one Mr Kevin O'Brien came in to bat in the 23rd over.

The batting powerplay was taken at around 4.10 GMT in the 32nd over. by then K O'Brien was on 35 in just 23 balls.

What followed next was a massacre of the English attack. By the end of the power play in the 36th ovr the partenership between O'Brien and Cusack was worth 118. The target was just 99 runs away and the required run rate was 7.07. By all angle it looked that Ireland had this match in its pocket.

Everyone was stunned. It was difficult to keep pace with the scoring rate at which there two here going. The only question was.. "do they know how to finish it?"

Just for records O'Brien went on to score a century. He had done enough to be a superhero of the World Cup.But he carried on.

At around 4.30 I told Simon that Ireland need 27 runs of the last 4 ovs. He still maintained the English would win it. It reached to a state where 12 were needed odf 12 balls. And 1st ball of the 49th ovr O'Brien got run out.

Now even Simon could not control his anxiety. He wanted to see the match.

for the next 15 mins the class got a break. Simon and me went to the back benches where we were having the live streaming. And we Indians took a go at the English. Each one in the class cheered for Ireland and laughed at Simon. We were just too happy to see England lose than anything else. And for one I could shout "329 and still you could not win."

Cometh the last over and Ireland are 4 runs away

Simon says " I bet on 2 wickets in this over."

PS says" I bet on 4 off the 1st ball."

PS gets it right and we have a celebration - a small one but a thorough one.

Now Simon is all red.

" you guys will be reprimanded. You have broken the discipline of the class. You have disturbed those people who were not interested in the cricket. If Vinaya asks me I wont lie. As a punishment the lecture will go on too 6.00 pm".

This was another victory for us .. We proved that English just don't lose badly. they are bad losers too.

Taking inspiration from what Lalaji did at Lahore in 1928, we said " SIMON GO BACK" on our facebook walls.