It is a million dollar question! If we analyse recent performances of the top five teams and gauge their chances of winning the Cup, one has to term India and South Africa as the favorites. But, Can they live up to the expectations? India hold home advantage over South Africa; it has the right balance of veterans and youth. For India, batting is their strength; the worrying factor is their bowling, excluding Harbhajan and Zaheer. They don't have the bowlers to defend huge totals, forget defending small scores. On the other side, we have a team who has always done exceedingly well in previous world cup matches, but has failed in the crunch matches and deservedly got the 'Chokers" tag behind them.
Most of the cricket pundits have ignored the two most dangerous and talented teams in the world; it is none other than the cornered tigers Pakistan and the onetime invincible Australia. Both teams have the talent and potential to outshine and overshadow the best of teams on their day. If Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Aamer are cleared by ICC, then they stand a very good chance of surprising the cricket world, like they always do. Their opening bowling attack is arguably the best in the world, even better than Steyn and Morkel. Australia would give everything to make a strong comeback, particularly after the defeat from the hands of the old enemy. Ricky Ponting might have been out of form, but it takes only one inning for legends to comeback; one must watch out for him and who knows he might turnout to be the player of the tournament. At the same time, one must accept the fact that they have to play out of their skin to beat teams like India and Sri Lanka.
Talking about other teams, Sri Lanka have always been the 'Silent Killer'. They are certainly one of the teams who stand a strong chance to at least make to the Semis. They have slow bowlers who are ideal for sub-continent pitches and can make life tough for the best. It is really sad that the coming World Cup will be without legends like Gilchrist and Inzamaam and the worst will be if Asif and Aamer are convicted of Spot Fixing.
I have a strong feeling that this world cup is going to be India's as they would be playing most important matches on their home territory and have the support of the huge crowd to lift their spirit and perform out of their skin.
Ya i agree wit u that India might not make it to the finals... many have put forward India as the for runner for winning the world cup but i m getting a slight nervous that this overconfidence might get India into a lot of trouble as the pressure is all on them now to win the world cup as playing in home they have the advantage and disadvantage too.
ReplyDeletePeople in India are very overconfident and in other words they expect more .The mentality is very different, god knows when we might change.
It is sad to c that a country with a more than Billion people still depend on a game which is a game of business ,Cricket is now a business in India.
Coming back to World cup matches India has no specialist Bowler there is no bowler who is to be a strike one of all in the match , and batsman , they need not worry becoz even if they fail to capitalize in World cup they have IPL coming up soon after the World cup which is prefered most now ..