cricket world cup 2011

I was all so excited about the fact that am gonna watch a cricket match live in a stadium for the first time in my life… Ironically, I never watched all the time in India (my house in Chennai being only 3 -5 kms away from Chepauk stadium) but with in my first month in South Africa.

This is the 5th ODI between India Vs. South Africa. The series so far is in a balance with 2 wins each. With pride at stake, South Africa should be favorite but you can never write off current Young Indian team. Things running in my mind until the morning of the match…

-- Jo’burg is predominantly cold place so it will be pleasant to chill around in grass
-- Might get good glimpse of players in close vicinity and chat with them
-- get a feeling of the real time pace and look of a match
-- long drive to beautiful centurion supersport park
-- The form of life Indian team is now
-- Can further test the efficiency of my new GPS

How did the day went through ?

The parking was a chaos in Supersport park. As soon as I drived to the stadium there were this bunch of guards rounded me and offered a safe and easy parking space for 50 Rands. I went for it and I was happy that its only less than 4 min walk to stadium. Later, I felt more lucky when there was rain and water level was rising in the free parking space behind the stadium.

The prediction was a thunderstorm for the day and was surprised to see bright sunny morning and the smile didn’t last for ever.. Around 10 am we started feeling the discomfort due to heat and around 11 am we are half fried human meat on the grass… And that was the time the transition took place from choclate brown to dark choclate brown (guess what ??? My colour ofcourse : - ( )

Rubbing salt on the wounds, Dhoni chose to bowl first and made SA feel good toss to lose with their master class batting effort. Harbajhan and Munaf was standing near us in the boundary during the innings and Bhajji was like a robot and didn’t even waved his hands for whatsoever… rightly so, he got the worst swears from the crowd all the 20 overs he stood their.. He complained to the security guards and they didn’t give a S***T

The 40 mins rain in the afternoon was the worst part of my day.. We had to stand all the time with our mats in our hand… luckily it wasn’t a thunder storm. The Indian innings started with wickets flow being generous than run flow… as it looked the match will wrap up before even Indians reach 100, we took the obvious decision ‘TO LEAVE THE STADIUM WHEN THE TRAFFIC IS LESS’

We left after Harbhajan’s wicket thinking there is only a miracle could save India… The Wonderful part is that I was home on time to see Yousuf hammering under the cold living room with snacks and juices on my couch… No regrets as this series was one of the bravest fight back by Indian team with out front line batsmen on a South African pitch. I can still place my money on India for the upcoming world cup.

Cricket World Cup 2011

It’s a real pleasure and fun being in another cricket mad country that awaits for the upcoming world cup with all the locals being curious. The Cricket fans of SA over here are nice and giving good respect to other teams too in terms of criticizing the game. Herez my analysis of how the teams stand although the groupings looks like the top 8 teams in ICC ranking will go to quarter finals.

Australia : For sure, they are not the god as they were a decade ago. Ever since the last world cup, the team only detoriates with every second with their consistency. No more Gillys, Mcgraths, Haydens or warnes. Winning each game will be a challenge for them. In my opinion, they are not the favorites this time.

South Africa : I could say they are better than Australia but once again they don’t have the talents of Pollock or Klusner or Rhodes or Gibbs which is painful. However, they seem to be the only non subcontinental team who got the potential to win games in Asia against any opponent on any day. IMO, they could give surprises either way. (they still havent got rid off the C****S tag yet)

England : In theory, they are even favorites. In reality, they sweat themselves to win against an associate team in Warm ups. If Kevin Pieterson or Paul Collingwood doesn’t click, England won’t stay longer. IMO, No hopes on them

West Indies : The once superstar of world cricket is not the same now. Gayle is a good T20 player and Chanderpaul got too much load with a less talented team. Bowling is unpredictable. The only impressive news was they gave tough fight against Srilanka in Srilanka during warmups. IMO, no chances even if they make it to quarterfinals

Srilanka / Pakistan : No idea. To me, they are ‘You never know’ teams. They are quiet and less hyped. Supposedly, according to the Theory of Stupid Irony, one of them should lift the cup.

New Zealand : Absolutely no chance. They should be happy they are still playing tests.

Bangladesh : Being host, may lift their spirits and I am sure they wont give a easy win to any opponent. Still, they don’t have what it takes to be world cup dominator.

Associate Teams (Ireland, Neterlands and other lands) : Nothing expected other than 1 or 2 shock in prelims.

India : As a world cricket fan, India for sure proved they deserve to be on top few by giving close fight and winning slaps against many teams in their own backyard. Young team, great hitters, terrific fielders, home side advantage, TENDULKAR the god is with them… With all my heart I always wished to see the Tendulkars XI to lift the cup for more than a decade but this time the chances looks more realistic ever before. IMO, the team got all it takes to reach semi finals and then its Dhoni who should exercise the brain to get ther…

Practically, all the top 8 teams (AU/NZ/WI/IN/SL/EN/SA/BG) reaches the quarter finals eliminating the associate teams and then its 3 good days for any of these teams. One thing i am sure about, it will not be 100% win for any team that lifts world cup.

Wolrd cup : The Glorious Moment

The glorious moment for Indian cricket I witnessed last night. The statement was further justified when couple of South Africans mentioned ‘I am glad the Aussies are out of World Cup’. It’s the expression of joy when a team put up more than a brave fight and showed the exit doors of World cup to a team who dominated more than a decade in world cup.

It was 1996 (I was at school that time) I saw the so called minnows Srilankans who murdered the Australians in the world cup finals and ever since, the Oz team only grew stronger, became dominant. With the stalwarts like Ponting, Mcgrath, Warne, Gilchrist, Hayden etc., they formed their own empire in the world of cricket. They kept fetching all the records possible. They won every world cup they played after that. As the talent grew stronger and stronger, the attitude took a stroll and termed as the RUDE TEAM in the cricket field. Sledging, Controversies, Disciplines joined with their Cricketing talents. That’s when the superstars retired but not the teams attitude and fittingly, that’s when they started losing their pride.

The slide (to me) started when India won the CB Series during last time during India's tour of Australia. There was no luck factor, no hook n crook. It was 'best of 3' finals and India kick started the ‘Beginning of the end’. Sachin Tendulkar rubbed off the stupid superstition by scoring centuries in both matches and still made India lift the trophy with one of the histories most convincing win against Australia in Australia by any team in ODI format.

Later, the Aussies suffered poor crash defeat in Ashes against England which put the message across to the arrogant team that they are just as good as any other test teams.

Back to present, the Aussies started the world cup well staying un beaten until they met the most unpredictable super talented team called Pakistan. Crushed ruthlessly and their stint of 34 unbeated worlcup victories in a row ended. I have to mention that its shame on Ponting who clearly edged and waiting for umpires decision to force him out instead of walking out. Fittingly, Tendulkar only grow as a sports man (besides being top class player) by walking away when he nicked the ball that even replay cameras couldn’t spot.

Yesterday, the big stage was set. India (the favorites) but with lots of bowling and fielding issues to face the defending champions. I was taken by surprise to see the new look Indian team with their best bowling n fielding. Took regular wickets, stopped boundaries and batted with utmost responsibility as a team. End of the day, there was 2 people who were on their knees on the ground. Yuvraj, roaring at his loud best looking at the sky. Ponting, heads down forehead kissing the Indian soil for the last time in world cup.

I saw this funny comment on cricinfo.com at the end of the match

Passenger Announcement : Final call for passengers travelling to Non stop flight to Australian on Quantas Airways.