2nd Quarter Final: The End of an Era

Occasions don't make men stronger, but without an occasion there could be no exhibition of strength. The greatest measure of the fight in a fighter is how he rises up to an occasion, and India have showcased their share of fight in a phenomenal manner today in Ahmedabad.

Knocking Australia out of a world cup had remained an unattained dream for most teams in a generation. It was way back, 19 years ago, in 1992 when it was the last time Australia did not qualify for the semi-finals of a world cup. Since then they have played all the finals of the four world cups till the current one and, as we all know, have won 3 in a row. It was an era of utter dominance, marked by a gradually and carefully acquired habit of winning. Home or away, Australia kept winning. An Australian loss was as rare as a good ball from Munaf Patel. In fact, as the analogy might further suggest, it was virtually non-existent.

However, as they say, nothing is permanent in this world filled with fragility and change. Everything, how much ever significant and great, has an end, and today the team that had fought the best against Australia in their golden era and the team that had managed to ask them questions fairly regularly - although mostly in Test Cricket - marked the end of that era. Yes, I take immense pride in saying that it is India who have beaten the Australians in the quarter-final of the world cup 2011 and have set them right on their way home.

The dilettantes might believe that today's was not an exciting game of cricket as not many spectacular shots were played and not a lot of action was staged on the ground. However, the literates of the game would know that it was a thriller - more at the inside than from the outside - by all means. It was a match that pressure resided in like a permanent citizen and, soon as the match began, spread all over in the territories of both the sides like a fluid of low viscosity. Australia did well to reach 260 as Ricky Ponting played a fantastic knock for his fifth, and most probably last, world cup hundred. India, on the other hand, who have been one of the worst bowling sides for a large part of the tournament believed that they had done well to restrict Australia below 275. Zaheer Khan bowled brilliantly and rose up to the occasion. Harbhajan and Ashwin spun the ball well and kept things tight in the initial stages. Yuvraj, the statistically best bowler, bowled his 10 for 44 and picked up 2 wickets.

India came on to bat with a purpose and got off to a good start before Sehwag fell mistiming a pull as he was caught at midwicket. Sachin Tendulkar looked superb as usual and played some remarkable strokes all over the ground for his 53 and formed a good stand with Gambhir. Sachin was caught behind on Tait's bowling which was the only highlight of Shaun Tait's presence in the match. Otherwise, Tait was haywire, never settled down, and frankly, never bowled well. The occasion was a huge one and the match that was getting away from the Australians was once again well-balanced as Kohli got out off a full-toss ball and Gambhir killed himself running with Yuvraj Singh in the most bizarre possible manner. And when Dhoni got out shortly after, the Indian ship looked to be sinking and the famous Australian attitude of never-say-die suddenly looked alive and shining.

Then came the 7th man - Suresh Raina - the last person guarding the weak Indian tail from the lethal pace of Brett Lee, Mittchel Johnson and Shaun Tait. Yuvraj Singh, with great support from Suresh Raina, scored a match-winning 57 not out in 65 balls which, to me, was as good as a hundred. The two formed an unbeaten partnership of 74 which was as good a match-winning effort as you will ever see. Raina remained unbeaten on 34 off 28 and actively participated in writing a glorious piece of the history of Indian cricket.

Fascinating pieces of cricketing history have been written by the Indians and importantly they have a lot more to come their way. With this scintillating win, India have confirmed an appointment with their arch-rivals Pakistan in Mohali on Wednesday, 30th of March, 2011. That is as big a game as one could possibly see in world cricket. For tonight, India can rejoice and cherish a victory that would have tasted like a divine delicacy cooked in their own backyard.

Man of the Match: Yuvraj Singh

Pre'match'ure Take: India Vs. Australia

Excitement was never greater. India playing Australia in a world cup quarter-final in Ahmedabad. It's been days of excitement leading to this day and it has dawned. The quarter-final will be on its way in less than an hour from now. The toss will take place shortly.

Australia have been struggling with the bat but have a pretty good, balanced bowling attack. India sport the best batting line-up in the tournament but have been close to pathetic with the ball so far.

This is THE CLASH.

I predict a nail-biter. The fan in me wants to be pampered and wants to watch India sail through. From an analytical standpoint, too, I think India will have a slight edge today. I predict a 55:45 to India. Fingers crossed. The biggest match so far will shortly be on its way.

A Taylor-Made Birthday and Group 'A'

What we all thought would be a spin-dominated, convincing Pakistani victory was ended with another stamp on the belief that this is the first open world cup in an age. New Zealand's steady start was converted into a mountain of runs by a fierce assault towards the end of the innings by Ross Taylor. Martin Guptill (57) was the second highest run-scorer who batted with patience as an opener. The real star of the day was undoubtedly Ross Taylor. On his 27th birthday, Taylor played one of the finest knocks of his career on the grand stage of the world cup scoring an unbeaten 131 off 124 deliveries. New Zealand scored 85 runs in the last 4 overs. Abul Razzaq went for 49 in 4 overs whereas Shoaib Akhtar walked back with shameful bowling figures of 70 for 1 in 9 overs.

Pakistan were expected to fight back with the bat but crumbled right from the beginning as at one stage they were 45-5 which turned into 66-6. Abul Razaq tried to avenge the merciless treatment given to him in the first innings and scored 62 off 74 deliveries. Pakistan ended at 192, losing to New Zealand by 110 runs.

The Kiwi win opened a lot of possibilities in the group. As I write this, all the four of Australia, Pakistan, New Zeland and Sri Lanka have already qualified for the quarter finals. The final position in the group may be crucial since it will decide who plays whom in the quarter finals. There are two big games that might have the final word on how the teams stand in Group A. Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand in Mumbai and Pakistan vs. Australia in Colombo will be great practice games for the four sides. Calculations will anyway not help them much since who qualifies at which position from Group B is still a big question. Group B is turning out to be a real group of death as only South Africa are sure to reach the quarters. India, barring a major mishap and a rare statistical chance, are pretty much through as well. England, Bangladesh and West Indies are currently engulfed in complex statistics.

Although, this world cup is full of surprises and has been a treat to watch so far, we have our habit of picking favourites before the match. And for Sri Lanka Vs. New Zealand, I believe, Sri Lanka have an edge though I'd like the Kiwis to come out victorious. Pakistan and Australia are two teams I'd usually like to see on the losing side, but since they are playing each other in Colombo, I think it will be a fascinating match and I'd give Australia a slightly better chance. Say, a 60:40 to Australia. Yet, I'd love to see the Australian dream-run ending at the earliest, even if it takes a historic Pakistani victory.

Pre'match'ure Take: Sri Lanka Vs Australia

One of the biggest and the most anticipated league clashes of this tournament is the game that's scheduled to start in 30 minutes as I write this. The country of Ravana will battle against the country of Jason Gillespie. I have never seen Ravana but imagine him looking similar to Gillespie.

The last time these two met in a world cup was in a mismatched final dominated by the Australians and particularly by the legendary wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist. That, however, is a story of the past and Australia are definitely not the world-beaters they used to be back in the day. Yet, Australia are a great team, one of the best in ODIs even to this day, and shall have many reasons to believe that they can beat Sri Lanka in Colombo. Although, this time they will have to work real hard, stick to the strategies, and keep it as tight as possible when it comes to bowling. Ricky Ponting will have to get some runs and lead from the front. Shane Watson, the in-form opener, will have a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. Michael Clark must have to strengthen the middle-order. Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, and Mitchell Johnson should try and get one of the openers along with Kumar Sangakara in the first 10 overs. Australia are still the world champions and stand a superb chance to win the battle of Colombo.

Sri Lanka, too, have a fair chance of winning the game this time since they are playing at home, and, as I just saw, they have won the toss and elected to bat. I believe Premadasa is not a great cricketing venue since the results here depend too much on the toss. The team batting first invariably has an edge here. The Lankans should expect either Sangakara or Jaywardhane to bat through the innings. I tend to feel that Sangakara will play a larger role today since he is a better player of pace than any other Sri Lankan. A lot will depend on Dilshan-the gambler and Tharanga. However, the biggest factor of the match will be spin and the player to watch out for is a person who can turn even on cement let alone at Premadasa - Muttiah Muralitharan. Murali will play with all his heart since it is his lats world cup and beating Australia is something precious to every player in his generation.

The only time Sri Lanka have ever beaten the Aussies in a world cup was in the final of the '96 cup and they would be desperate to improve that. The first ball is about to be bowled and I sign off to watch the action. My prediction - since the match is at Premadasa and since Sri Lanka have won the toss - is a thriller of a game. I'd give a 55 to Sri Lanka and a 45 to Australia.