So, the preliminaries are over, and we move in to the part of the tournament that actually matters. With one notable absentee. The Australians will be based in Leicester and probably loathe to watch as eight other teams, including Ireland and West Indies, tussle for the one trophy that they have never won. On the evidence of what we’ve seen so far, Asian cricket’s two powerhouses, India and Sri Lanka, look best equipped to carry off the trophy, with the strongest challenge likely to come from South Africa and New Zealand. But with Kevin Pietersen back, England’s chances can’t be completely discounted, and there’s always the prospect of surprises from a mercurial Pakistan team.
Sri Lanka and India will be delighted with the way they concluded the league phase. India never really had to get out of second gear once they sent Ireland in to bat, and Sri Lanka rode on a brilliant opening partnership to see off a West Indies side that rested Chris Gayle. Sri Lanka’s spinners were again extremely impressive, and India would have been boosted by Zaheer Khan’s wonderful spell on his return from injury.
Both teams have minor concerns to address. Sri Lanka could do with some runs from Mahela Jayawardene and Chamara Silva, while India will hope that Irfan Pathan, if chosen ahead of RP Singh, gives Zaheer better new-ball support. The death-overs bowling has also been average, and against batsmen of the calibre of Pietersen, de Villiers and Gayle, that could be a recipe for disaster. So far, so good though.
So, the preliminaries are over, and we move in to the part of the tournament that actually matters. With one notable absentee. The Australians will be based in Leicester and probably loathe to watch as eight other teams, including Ireland and West Indies, tussle for the one trophy that they have never won. On the evidence of what we’ve seen so far, Asian cricket’s two powerhouses, India and Sri Lanka, look best equipped to carry off the trophy, with the strongest challenge likely to come from South Africa and New Zealand. But with Kevin Pietersen back, England’s chances can’t be completely discounted, and there’s always the prospect of surprises from a mercurial Pakistan team.
Sri Lanka and India will be delighted with the way they concluded the league phase. India never really had to get out of second gear once they sent Ireland in to bat, and Sri Lanka rode on a brilliant opening partnership to see off a West Indies side that rested Chris Gayle. Sri Lanka’s spinners were again extremely impressive, and India would have been boosted by Zaheer Khan’s wonderful spell on his return from injury.
Both teams have minor concerns to address. Sri Lanka could do with some runs from Mahela Jayawardene and Chamara Silva, while India will hope that Irfan Pathan, if chosen ahead of RP Singh, gives Zaheer better new-ball support. The death-overs bowling has also been average, and against batsmen of the calibre of Pietersen, de Villiers and Gayle, that could be a recipe for disaster. So far, so good though.
I have been browsing through the numerous articles about Sehwag’s Injury and It has been a dirty game played by the Indian Media.
Granted that Sehwag was an important player for India but he is no more playing due to his injury so why can’t these journos back off and let the Indian team play with some less pressure.
All this vitriol has actually made the public back in India( or so it seems if you read the numerous comments on various websites) go angry and I am sure half of them are baying for the blood of the Indian team.
I am afraid that what if this team will not be able to win the cup will Dhoni’s house be burnt again?
I request you to please write something about this from the perspective of a true cricket and an Indian Fan.
Dhoni’s men need all our support and while I may be critical of the way he does his job ( like promoting himself up the order even though he is incapable these days of hitting the ball out of the park) my heart will always be with the Men in Dark Blue.
I hope they get this message that there are people in India and all over the world who follow his and his teams fortune and are with them even when a large media contigent is bent on painting Dhoni as a villan.
Hi Dileep,
I have been browsing through the numerous articles about Sehwag’s Injury and It has been a dirty game played by the Indian Media.
Granted that Sehwag was an important player for India but he is no more playing due to his injury so why can’t these journos back off and let the Indian team play with some less pressure.
All this vitriol has actually made the public back in India( or so it seems if you read the numerous comments on various websites) go angry and I am sure half of them are baying for the blood of the Indian team.
I am afraid that what if this team will not be able to win the cup will Dhoni’s house be burnt again?
I request you to please write something about this from the perspective of a true cricket and an Indian Fan.
Dhoni’s men need all our support and while I may be critical of the way he does his job ( like promoting himself up the order even though he is incapable these days of hitting the ball out of the park) my heart will always be with the Men in Dark Blue.
I hope they get this message that there are people in India and all over the world who follow his and his teams fortune and are with them even when a large media contigent is bent on painting Dhoni as a villan.
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