Sachin Tendulkar’s big dream will be India’s boost to win ICC World Cup 2011
Tendulkar's big dream will be to India's advantage
By Devarchit Varma
Come February 19, the cricketing world will get engrossed into the madness of the 50-over format championship, which will be held in the Indian sub continent for the third time. Fourteen teams from different parts of the globe are embattled in the grand event, to create history and to bring glory to their nation.
India, South Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka and England are obvious choices for fans, but West Indies, New Zealand, Bangladesh, Pakistan and even Ireland can’t be underestimated.
Cricket being characteristically so unpredictable, none among the contestants can be perceived winners. That reminds us of a simple rule: The team that plays better on the day will be the team that wins.
India is the hot favourite. Though shaky at times, India enjoys the advantage of playing at home with humongous support. And it’s to India’s added advantage that Sachin Tendulkar will be fired up to realize the one dream he so badly wants to accomplish – to be part of a World Cup-winning Indian team.
Even without Tendulkar in their ranks, India has evolved into a formidable side with the likes of Yusuf Pathan, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh providing awesome strength to the side. An in-form Yuvraj Singh is also dangerous.
Despite excluding thoroughbreds Chaminda Vaas and Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka still look deadly with the likes of Thilan Samaraveera, Upul Tharanga, Lasith Malinga and Ajantha Mendis in their ranks. Sri Lanka, too, are hungry to win the Cup and give Muttiah Muralitharan fitting farewell. Angelo Mathews is a blessing for the Lankans while Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayewardene provide the backbone.
It would be utterly daft to write off the Australians. Despite their third Ashes series loss, the Australian team showed what it’s capable of by routing England in the one-day series. The Aussies have some fine players in Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson, Cameron White and Doug Bollinger – players who are eminently capable of giving the perfect farewell for Ricky Ponting.
South Africa has steady leadership, potent bowling and attacking batting, and a well-thought plan to bag the cup for the first time. If they can overcome the choker tag, they will be a feared side in which Jacques Kallis is a one-man army.
England wouldn’t have sensed dozen injuries right before the World Cup, and their longevity in the tournament entirely depends on how many of those Ashes winners are in. Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson are their mainstays with Paul Collingwood the key. But having drained out their mental strengths, physical fitness and bench strength to a half-successful Australian tour, England look a less competitive side in this edition.
Unlike India, Pakistan could never recover from the match-fixing scandal, and the latest reports have deprived them off some great talents. Shahid Afridi, Misbah-ul-Haq, Younis Khan and Umar Gul are toiling to keep the boat afloat, but a World Cup win looks a distant dream, though the morale-boasting wins in New Zealand has given them some momentum.
A tyro captain Darren Sammy, a maverick yet unreliable Chris Gayle, seasoned Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul and a few rookies comprise West Indian threat in 2011. Every victory could be a hard fought battle for them.
It would be outrageous to rate any Bangladesh victory as an upset; they are no more the underdogs. Audacious batting, skilful bowling attack and adroit players have well understood the importance of hard work till world’s end, and it won’t be a surprise to see them in the quarter finals.
New Zealand looks pretty torn up after dejecting performances in last few months. Daniel Vettori, Ross Taylor, Martin Guptill and Jesse Ryder are vital for the Kiwis. A team which is used to for occupying a semi-final/quarter-final berth in every edition, may not last long this time.
The Netherlands, Kenya, Ireland and Zimbabwe will cherish playing against quality opponents and try learning big lessons. Zimbabwe and Kenya are sad cases in comparison to their pasts, while Ireland and the Dutch will indeed try making an upset.
No matter who’s the favourite, who’s strong or who’s competitive, the one who will play better cricket than competitors for 43 days will win.
(Devarchit Varma is a cricket fanatic who finds nothing more exciting to do than to write, watch or play cricket. An ardent Test cricket fan, he often goes alone to see his favourite players in action.)