So Far, So Good

Well, the World Cup is a week old now. And it's been a well-mannered child unlike some of its previous siblings that were rather naughty. The tournament is yet to produce an upset. All the results have stuck to the odds.

The world cup began in style with Sehwag's scintillating stroke-play that started with a square-drive off the very first ball of the tournament. Sachin and Sehwag looked in great shape before Sachin was run out as the first wicket in the competition. Sehwag showed no respect for the Bangladesh bowlers and Virat Kohli looked in fine touch as well. India started on a strong note and Bangladesh did surprisingly well to reach 287 in their virtually impossible chase of 370. India might have to work a bit on their bowling.

Sri Lanka, too, started well by comprehensively beating Canada. Jaywardhane and Sangakara batted with sense and skill to take their team passed 300 and then the Lankan attack - the most balanced bowling attack of the tournament - wrapped the Canadians up for a nominal 122.

Australia have done well to win both their matches. They started a little shaky against Zimbabwe and managed only 250 odd which itself was a moral victory for Zimbabwe. However, although not the world-beaters as they used to be, they are still the Aussies and they never looked like losing to Zimbabwe. Australia thrashed their neighbours in the next match and registered a win in merely 34 overs. Shane Watson looked good with the bat whereas Mitchel Johnson made his mark with the ball to become the leading wicket-taker of the tournament so far as I write this.

South Africa and West Indies could have been the first good game in the competition but the Africans just walked over their opponents, winning comfortably by seven wickets. The two Bravos batted well for the West Indies. Smith's idea of starting the attack with Botha worked out real fine as he got the prize wicket of Chris Gayle on the third ball of the match. Imran Tahir enjoyed an amazing international debut as he picked up 4 for 41. AB de Villiers scored a 107 not out to start his campaign on a strong note.

Pakistan, the most controversial and mysterious team of the tournament, looked the favorites to witness an upset but they played exceedingly well against the Kenyans, completely overpowering them. Shahid Afridi picked up 5 for 16 to produce the best figures by a captain in any world cup match.

England were the only big team that was threatened by the minnows in the Netherlands. Holland went on to score 292 which certainly set up a task for England. The English bowling was lousy and they still have a lot to learn about the conditions in the subcontinent that they once ruled for over 150 years. England should thank their stars that their batsmen had their head on the shoulders and the Netherlands did not have a vicious spinner. To be honest, England chased really well but the Netherlands continued to fancy an outside chance till the very end of the match. Ryan Ten Duschate scored a stunning hundred for the Netherlands and picked up a couple of wickets to be the man of the match against his fellow Europeans.

Bangladesh versus Ireland was the most closely fought battle so far but the standard of cricket disappointed me. Bangladesh bowled very well to defend 205 and won by 27 runs. I personally love low-scoring matches and, although not exactly a nail-biter, this match provided some entertainment.

I write this as the first big game of the tournament is underway between Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The match is evenly poised at the moment as Pakistan have won the toss, elected to bat, and are 149-3 in the 29th over. Premadasa always offers an advantage to the team batting first, which negates the Lankan advantage of being the better team on paper. I personally have no favourites in this match since I never enjoy Sri Lankan cricket. They have produced some quality cricketers. Murali is a legend. Jayasurya was influential. Arvinda was classy. Jaywardhane and Sangakara are fine players. Yet, I just don't like their gameplay. And being an Indian, I hate Pakistan as a country. Speaking as a cricket lover, there was a time when I used to enjoy Pakistan cricket but Wasim Akram and the golden generation of Pakistan are a talk of the past. Nonetheless, I'm expecting a closely fought battle from this game and it will hopefully make up for the best world cup match so far.

Tomorrow is the big day as England would look to challenge the raging Indians in Bangalore. I hope it turns out to be a good game. Frankly, I'd be mighty surprised (also disappointed) if England win tomorrow. They are playing against the best batting line-up in the world, in conditions that strongly favour the Indians, and under shadows of countless revenges that the Indians are eager to take on the British for a kingdom that looted them for over one and a half centuries.