Indian Cricket in Australia

Indian Cricket in Australia

Sleighing – a disturbing vocal or actionable comment or performance by the fielders on the cricket ground to break the concentration of batsman – is the trade mark and successfully implemented action plan of Australian Cricket is seems booming back on them special with the forthcoming [In fact Indian team is there in Australia only] tour by the Indian team. No one will dare to put a question mark on the talent and success of Australian team during last 10-15 years. They are used to walk into ground with the pride of being the undisputed kings of the game. A popular joke, after the ODI world cup in the West Indies goes like. Next ODI world being held in Asia will last for just two days, on the day one there will be inaugural function include glimpse of Asian culture and photographic session for all the participating teams. On the second day a star filled entertainment program will be held at Edan garden Kolkatta – Cricket stadium can accommodate hundred thousands people- and world cup trophy will be handed over to Australian captain. This will mark end of function and world cup.

World scene has changed since the almost insulting exit of Indian team from that ODI world cup. Look at the success run of Indian team after the world cup, not only in ODI but also in the traditional Test cricket, feathers are being added to hat of Indian team one after another. Even the First T-20 world cup saw the Indians emerging as the world champion in the presence and defeating the kings of the game. Won home away test series in England and clinched title for the ODI and Test match home series against the arch rivals Pakistan. Even the solo twenty -20 match between Australia and India, during last Australian concluded with an Indian victory.

Indians are progressing positively to create and pose a challenge for Australians not only on the cricketing fields but also on the other ground. Who will forget the aggression of Shrisanth during the last tour of Australian cricket team to India. It is set norm of Australian players and press to start bombarding of nasty comments on the touring captain to demoralized him even before taking place at war fields of the game. Unfortunately touring Indian captain Anil Kumbale has made them deprived of it. In fact the reflections of changed scenario were started to reflect from the T-20 world cup in the South Africa with the calm, cool and calculated behavioral postures by the Indian captain M. S. Dhoni. Instead of Australian this time it was Anil kumble to lead the sleighing front with the statement “Without Worn, Australian spin attack is at its weakest point and we have batsmen to take advantage of this.” Might this was not sufficient to produce fear waves in opponent camp, so the star wicketkeeper and hard hitting batsman M S Dhoni, who is visiting Australia for first time, came with the statement “ Considering the reports and past records I can say only that Australia pitches are most suitable for the batting style I have.”

The kings are at the receiving end this time and that too at home. It will be interesting to see how the offenders are able to cope with the defending tactics and how and to what extant Indian team is able to convert the words into deeds. We have to remember over the years it has always a tough composition for all the touring teams to get accustom with the Australian climatic and ground situations and time consumed for this often resulted in defeat for them. This tour of Australia might going to prove the last visit for some of indian stars like sachin Tendulkar, saurav, Rahul, Laxman, and Kumbale so they will not leave a space for their already brilliant record.

The dates included in the playing schedule of Indian cricket team in Australia read like as follows

December 2007
26 to 30 First Test Matches [Melbourne]
January 2008
02 to 06 second Test Match [Sydney]
10 to 12 Practice Match against A. C. T. Eleven
16 to 20 Third Test Match [Perth]
24 to 28 Forth Test Match [Adelaide]

Australians are also looking forward to February first when both the Indians and Australians will take the ground for the solo T-20 match of the tour, to compensate some what for the insulting defeat in the semi’s of T-20 world cup and at Mumbai during the last tour of India by the Australian team in the same format of the game. This tour of Australia might going to prove last career visit for some of star performers like Sachin, Saurav, Laxman, Rahun and Kumbale , Surely all of them are going to put additional effrots for making the tour memmorable.

Twenty - Twenty

Twenty - Twenty Indians are under the strong winds of twenty-20. It had not so at distance to be part of history that India is World Champion of T-20 cricket as was stated by the Australian cricket team during their recent tour to India. M.S. Dhoni and his boys of Indian cricket team had proved it by defeating again the kangaroos in the only T-20 match of the tour.
It is just not the cricket, which is making the country under the strong storm of twenty – twenty. Another twenty is the crossing of twenty thousand marks by the sensitive stock index of Indian Share Market on 29th October 2007. it had not only made the country only the twentieth in the world to cross 20,000 but also provided yet another reason to celebrate twenty – twenty. This is sufficient evidence that India is going to become world economic power by the year 2020 [once again twenty -twenty] since the 1986 to start of 2006 market was at just a bit over the 10,000 mark in the almost twenty years but keeping the progress with tandem of twenty – twenty addition of yet another 10,000 is made in just twenty months.

Date Sensex

25th July 1990 1000

6th February 2006 10,000

29th October 2007 20,000

It is not just Malls culture or the software industry boost is the reason of this high growth but also the high crop production [growth rate from 1.5 to 2.5] and change of attitude of Indians for investing in market instead of traditional way of Gold or real state.
How is this twenty – twenty of market is effective in our life can be reflected from the news headline which appear in next 48 hours in print and electronic media. “Mukesh Ambani” of India is now the richest person of World surpassing “Bill Gates”, though officially Reliance has made clear that it was tabloid news. Ups downs of share market are not new but it is the fact that India is under the influence of twenty – twenty and going to become super economic power by the year 2020.

Cricket and India

Cricket and India


Look at the recent statement of Shri Sharad Powar, President BCCI; we were agreed to play Twenty-20 only because we don't wish to be left alone on world platform. It was beyond imagination that India, with so many youngsters and even with inexperienced captain Dhoni will go on winning the ever first world cup. Enthusiasm of Dhoni and his boys proved a high mountain to cross even for the strongest teams like the South Africa and Australia and proving wrong to every expertise view India won the twenty-20 world cup. As was expected a grand celebration started in the cricket passionate country and this was sure to go on most grand scales especially after the early exit of India from ODI world cup at West Indies early this year. It is natural to celebrate wins but the felicitation of twenty-20 world cup winner team has brought two important issues at the central stage of discussion.

The first issue that seating arrangement at Wankhede stadium, during the public felicitation of team brought under discussion that, who are more important the players of winning team or the politicians and officials of sport administrative body? The ideal seating for such a felicitation was that president of association and Deputy Chief Minister of state [Who was chief guest of function] were seating in front row along with members of winning team but we had totally opposite picture if we leave the captain, other players from the winning team were almost non visible to millions of people who were gathered in the stadium for the felicitation of team. It has also put the fact under questioning why should not the politicians banned for acquiring an official post in any sporting association. If you look it at reaction of Shri Sharad Powar, who is also agricultural minister in the central government, about the sudden price rise of onion, "I don't know the matter as I was out of my office". I am a great admire of Powar sahib, his political vision, his dedication towards the nation and above all his eagerness to work for the deprived classes of the society but this has also forced me to ask Powar Sahib, is he politicians first or a sport administrator? It is politics or the sport administration is on the priority list of Powar Sahib? Surely it is fame of politics that fetched Powar Sahib, post of president of BCCI and it is heart breaking in true sense that a leaders and minister like him is not aware of difficult situations which a common man is facing? Surely this is happening because politicians are busy with other activities. My question is that to avoid this why should it not be made mandatory that politicians are not supposed to acquire any official position in any of sport administrative body? India is much more vast country in experience and ability than any other country, if the other countries are finding specialists to run the sports associations, surely it will be not a tough job in India.

The felicitation of twenty-20 world cup, underlined the neglected attitude towards the achievements of Indians in other sport disciplines. For instant recently India won in Hockey very conveniently but neither the hockey association nor any government, State or Central had announced any additional financial benefit for the players of winning team, even the corporate world was in the silent mood. Pankaj Advani, Vishawnathan Anand and many more, who, by their individual efforts always succeeded to bring glory for the nation, are also complaining about the partial and bias treatment in announcing the rewards. Why it is always the cricket player are the front runners for the financial benefits even after being paid most handsomely? The probable reason is that cricket is not just another game in India; it is a passion, a life style. The players are more than human beings and we Indians are, extremist in the expression of our emotions, It must be remembered that the people of Jharkhand, Ranchi, Who today feel it proud in saying Dhoni belongs to them [State government had announced highest public award "Jharkhand Ratana" for Dhoni] are the same who had taken the funeral procession of Dhoni and demolished his under construction house in Ranchi, when Indian team exited early from the ODI world cup early this year. I don't wish to say that other players and their family members should under go such painful and insulting experience before asking the equality for the financial benefits. I just wish to underline the fact that we are living in the world of finance and the related person will get financial benefits according to earnings. If the cricket is the highest earning game, player are bound to get more financial benefits but surely government, state or central must behave with equality.

If we look at the cricket it was just another game till the 1983, it was the World cup win by the team lead by Kapil Dev, which boosted favorable atmosphere for cricket and started to make it odd in the sporting world of India. Professional attitude of players and officials of cricket associations of the country had insured the flow of money into game. If the people like Jagmohan Dalmiya and others are succeeded in doing this for the cricket, why the other sport associations are not able to do the same? We can't punish others for our failure. It was time, when India was undisputed king of hockey field but where are we today? Surely not among the top six teams of the world. Let the hockey players, associations and all other sports associations and players develop the professional attitude for brining glory for the nation more frequently surely this will work in bringing the needed mental attitude change of public and corporate houses and this inequality will not be visible more. The state and central government can help these associations by providing facility of live telecast of sports on Doordarshan at low rates to make these sporting events more popular. This will also help to see India figuring in the top list of Medal tally at Olympics.

Volatile Fame

Volatile Fame

Waves of fame are always there to blow you out of the world, myself and my son were discussing about the behavioral changes of M.S.Dhoni, captain of twenty-20 world cup winner Indian cricket team and the most recent rider of fame waves from the Indian sports world. It was good to note that Dhoni is still finding the surface of reality under his steps and doesn't show visible signs of being blown away with all of sudden high fame waves. Success is bound to bring fame and along with so many other things "fame" is also affected from our speeding and technology filled life style. Our present life style is making the fame most unstable and volatile aspect of the human life, fame is going to become as much temporary in nature as more we are progressing towards the commercialization. It is fact that in the show business fame was never a stable thing and was often changing hands but the present non stability, start existing over night and vanishing with amazing and unbelievable speed, was also not the characteristic of the fame. We Indians have a very high respect and importance of fame in our life, our history says that "Raja Harishchandera" has given all his wealth and kingdom, just because he dreamed about donating it and wishes to keep his fame of speaking and being follower of truth. "Arjun" is still with the fame of best archer of the world even after the millions and millions years after the "Mahabharat" era. Change is the constant and ever existing rule of the life and always affected human life and concept of fame. The modern technology based life style is turning the human life into a market place and making the fame volatile and temporary in nature. The reality shows of Indian TV screen are not only producing "fame" for the younger generations but also affecting the life style.

Abhijeet Sawant, Sandeep Acharya, Sanjeevani, Debojit, Toukir Kazi, and Amit Sana are the few names for whom this "fame" of reality shows has produced an unmatched identification and they become a known face in millions of Indian homes but no body knows where these are today? Can you recall the name of only lady finalist of reality show "Laughter Challenge"? All this is happening just because slowly and gradually but surely our life is going to be part of market and these reality shows are generating favorable conditions for this. Just recall "Ravindera" of Indian idol first, at every step his voice was judged as most unmelodious but only the votes from Punjab, his home state made him to qualify for the top five singers of the contest. Another worst effect of these reality shows is that, these shows gives fame to one out of million but for the rest generates dreams of overnight fame, which often results in pseudo confidence and guiding the human life towards the more selfish end, with the multiple layers of frustration, agony, anguish and un satisfaction.

It is fact that these reality shows and talent hunts are creating opportunities for the sub urban and rural Indian talent, providing them a platform to prove their worth and exhibit ones skills but if you look at purpose of these, they are not being organized with the same aim and objective. These reality shows are the best ways of earning , It is said that for the recently concluded "Indian Idol 3" over 10 carors [100 million] SMS votes were received by the organizers during the final, favoring either to "Prashant" or to "Amit". Even if we consider that out of Rs. 3 paid for every SMS, organizers are getting just one rupee it will become a considerable and real huge income. Here we have to keep it in the mind that this income is only from the final, income from the various previous rounds is not taken in consideration and what ever the organizers are expensing for the conducting these shows, they are earning more than of that, from the sponsors of the show. The worst thing of these shows is that their circle is expanding to childhood and even to interiors of our family life as they are encouraging even mothers to be part of these shows.

This is the right time for every one to think about this, we can't allow this to go on as it is simply because this greed of "Volatile Fame" will turn our family life into a commodity. Do we wish and ready for making life a commodity available at market? Before it become incurable we have to make our self aware of reality of these reality shows and prevent self from being part of it. I am concluding this with the statement of Mr. Gajendra Singh, one of most respectful name from the world of these reality shows, "We can't make any one star over night, we are just giving exposure to talent and creating an opportunity for the entrance into this tough world of competition for the success". I think his words are the real mirror and we need to look into this mirror before falling pray and proceeding on the path of this pseudo and volatile fame.

Kangaroos on Indian Land

Kangaroos on Indian Land

Those were the days when we waiting over 2-3 years for a cricket series against teams like Australia or West Indies and these are the days when even cricket wonder and genius like Sachin are complaining in direct way about the excess of cricket with words like Now it hard to get time for the overcome fatigue and recover from injuries when there are matches one following other at the interval of 2-3 or 4-5 days.

Things on and off the cricket fields went under the dramatic and speedy changes with the introduction of twenty-20 format. Indian team was still busy with felicitation for winning the twenty-20 world cup at Wankhede stadium Mumbai, when Kangaroos landed on Indian earth at Banglore for the seven matches ODI series. It is not easy to change from one format of game to other and that too when you are still under the hangover of winning the world championship of shortest version and going to face three time world champions as the opponent in the longer version of the game. India is fortunate in many senses, this series is home series in well known and familiar ground conditions with the support of home fans, which will be touching sky after the winning twenty-20 world cup [ this might work for increasing the pressure and may produce the adverse result], Three most successful ODI Indians players, Sachin, Sourav and Rahul are back to team, in all probabilities one among the world best opening pair Sachin and Sourav are going to open the inning for India, The famous wall Rahul Dravid is playing the inaugural ODI on home ground and has to prove how his bating is blossoming without the responsibility of captaincy, Irfan Pathan is in the mood of celebrating his come back where as aggression of Shrisanth is creating a concern in the opponent dressing room. The new find of twenty-20 cup, captaincy of hard hitter wicketkeeper M.S. Dhoni is shifting the pressure ball in the court of Australians. Even all these favorable, it is quite possible that India might loose the Banglore encounter just because of hangover of twenty-20 world cup win, failure in maintaining the dressing room and on the field energy level as some of the twenty-20 team players are being replaced and it needs time to reach with same energy level and interaction among the players. Unfortunately Indian team is not with time, players will be hardly with just 24 hours for all these adjustments. One thing is sure Indians are over 70% of chances of winning the series.

Australian are wounded with semis defeat of twenty-20 and history supports that kangaroos always become hard to defeat team after such humiliating defeats. Though some things are going against them, Australian attack is not looking as effective as it should be in the absence of Glen McGraw, Ricky Pointing is not in the best of form and health,there off the fields statements like "return of three senior players will make Indian team weaker" are not producing desired effect just because new Indian captain Dhoni says we don't believe in winning or loosing, we believe in enjoying our game. It is sure when you are enjoying your job success is intended to follow you. All these are not sufficient to write off Australia, after all they are ODI world champions and know the business better than any body else so this is going to be turn into battle that promises cricket at its best, just cricket and pure cricket with all its uncertainty and glory, Who ever loose the series but surely cricket is going to emerge as the winner.

Impacts of Victory

Impacts of Victory

Often we come across "Success has thousand fathers while failure is born orphan". Victory chariot journey of twenty-20 world cup winner Indian for covering the distance of about 35 km between airport and stadium at every step was the true representation of this. Since the moment of catching the sky towering ball by Shrisanth, celebrations are on, every one is coming forward to have own share of this success cake. BCCI, at the moment announce a US$ 2 millions award for team. It was strange to hear BCCI is going to give a cash award of Rs. 1, 00, 00,000/- to Yuvraj Singh for his world record 12 ball half century and six sixes in one over, how poor memory, in the victory celebration BCCI almost forget it was failure of same Yuvraj in the final was sufficient to write an Indian defeat in the score books, thanks to brilliant bowling display by R.P. Singh and Irfan Pathan and more importantly eagerness and non patience of hard hitting batsman Misbah-ul-haq , which not only prove curtain for Yuvi's failure but also the written the history pages with Indian victory in ever first Twenty -20 cup. I am neither denying the over all contribution of Yuvraj nor is against his special felicitation my objection is that performance of Irfan and Rudra in the final and tournament were matching with that Yuvi, why these two are not given the special reward? Even M S Dhoni, for his unique style of captaincy deserves to be rewarded with a special recognition.

BCCI decided to welcome and public felicitation of victorious Indian team. The team was taken to Wankhede Stadium in open bus from the airport on Wednesday but it left some questions unanswered, was it felicitation of winning team? If it was so why the players were seated in back rows? Where were the members of 1983 world cup winning Indian team? Why the past captains of Indian team were not invited for the function? Leave apart the reasons but don't the statement of BCCI official "Rajiv "beyond understanding, and tells another story? As this function was arranged in haste so BCCI was not with time of inviting all? As there was Ganeshoutsav so it was not possible to make the stage more spacious to accommodate players in the front row? Who will believe that in this era of communication and information it was not possible for BCCI to inform the past players? It was not possible for World's richest sport organization to make suitable and sufficient arrangements for the function and even if it was so who were the personalities of the moments BCCI officials or the cricketers? Any way what happened can't be taken back but it was ideal situation members of 1983 world cup winning team [only time in the past, when India won the world cup] being present at airport and welcomes the new champions, who brought the glory for Nation after 24 years .


If we try to turn the history pages, It will be overseas wins over the England and West Indies by the team lead by Ajit Wadekar laid down the foundation stone of grand celebration in the Indian cricket. Emergence of little master Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev has given a new meaning to cricket arena of India and 1983 world cup victory under the captaincy of Kapil Dev had shifted the game to middle class economy of India. The doors of this princely game were opened for masses, cricket instead of being yet another game started to take shape of passion, life style and something more important even than religion in the lives of Indians. The middle class parents of metros start not only thinking but also encouraging their children to choose sports as their carrier. A new all to gather different younger Indian generation start visible. If we look at the present winning team, it is surely an extension of this thought way, which is now started to found roots in the minds of parents even from the smaller cities like Ranchi, Rohtak, and Barodra etc. Surely this win is going to boost this thought process and provide more favorable situations for its becoming a tree in near future. The huge money available in the cricket is going to change the life style of Indians even at the village level and is bound to start a sport mentality among the Indian youth.

It is unfortunate that in India, often cricket and sports are used as single term. This not only ceases the development of other sports but also creates an emotion of inequality and feeling of being neglected in the minds of youth related with other games and sports. India is full of talent and dedication and this win of Twenty-20 World cup by young Indian team, with many players from the smaller cities, is making it easy for the corporate houses and sports authorities to explore and make India a powerful sporting Nation. It will be really interesting to see how the corporate houses and sports authorities are facing this new challenge in such favorable conditions.

Miss of just a fraction of second

Miss of just a fraction of second

I have seen it over hundred times and still wish and love to see it again and again. It was the climax of all those three hour filled suspense of traveling through the destiny, going under the never before experience of sinking and returning back to life heart beats, excited curiosity to reach and be the witness of final moments with the fear sufficient to raise body hair. Some may thought and wait for my announcement of the name of the movie, I am talking about. No dear it wasn't a movie, I am talking about the latest product introduced into sports shopping malls, Yes twenty-20 , the shortest version of the game for it was said in the past 22 half made people are creating a war of non existing supremacy and battling out it on 22 yards long strip. Yes it was the grand finale of twenty-20 World cup, the New wonders ground of Johannesburg was the betel ground and arch rivals India and Pakistan were fighting out for the ever first "King Title", to bring moments of "National Pride" for millions and millions of respective country men for whom cricket is passion, life or even something more than religion. The life was at phase of suspension and supposes to return back to normalcy only after a victory. "Dho…. Dho…. Doni Ke Dhurandharoon Ne Dho Dala……. Petkar Pakistan Ko, Jeetkar world cup, Khushiyoon Se Daman Bhar Dala." [Experts of Dhoni had washed Pakistan and brought never before high of happiness for the country] was the reaction of every Indian when the padel shot of M.U. Hakk rested into hands of ShreeShanth and India won the inaugural World cup by 5 runs. What a relief, this third ball of final over Jogindar Sharma and of the match brought for millions of Indians, who were still finding hard to re gathered themselves after watching ball sailing over the on the previous ball bowled.

All was not started well India in this tournament. A game of almost assured win against weaker team of Scotland washed out due to heavy rain. It was tie against arch rivals Pakistan [both scored 141 runs] and only the new rule "The Bowl out" helped India to emerge as winner and collect full two points to remain in contest for the race of entrance to super eight. On September 16th score of 190 runs pilled by kiwis proved a hard hurdle to cross as Indians were able to score only 180 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their allotted 20 overs for being defeated by 10 runs. 19th September will be returned as the day of Yuvraj Singh in the history books of cricket as he compiled a 12 ball half century, fastest in any format of game, and hit six sixes in a single over of speedster Stuart Brad. India won this by 18 runs as England made only 200 runs for six wickets. South Africa fall pray of Indian winning run on next day, though the home team restricted Indian score to moderate 153for 5 but succeeded in scoring only 116 making the way for Kiwis to go into semi finals after Pakistan, Australia, and India.

It was repeat 2003 Final of ODI world cup in the second semifinal of twenty -20, when World Champions Australia and Young Indian team took the field positions in Durban ground on 22nd September. India took the revenge and defeated the world champions by 15 runs, bating first to score a good 188 runs and allowing opposition to score only 173 runs. It was all set for the close fight among the arch rivals on 24th in the grand finale as Pakistan won their match against Kiwis by 6 wickets.

As was expected motivating young Indian Captain M.S. Dhoni, chose to bat first after winning the toss. Debutant Yusuf Pathan escaped from a narrow run out on very first ball of the match, which affect so adversely his metal status that he scored only 15 runs [1 six 1 four] of 8 balls before getting out. Robin Uthappa, Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni only succeeded in terms of spending time on central strip only to increase the number of dark balls. The biggest disappointment was Yuvi, who scored just 14 runs from 19 overs, can you believe the same Yuvraj scored a record fastest Half century of 12 balls a couple of days ago? Thanks to efforts of Rohit Sharma [30 runs of 16 balls] in last two overs, specially the second last ball of inning, when due to mistake of Pakistani fielder ball went over the rope for six, India manage to get a bit respect full score of 157.

It was not a great start even for the Pakistan, opener Hafiz was forced by R.P. Singh to toss the ball to Uthapa who made no mistake to hold the nerves and the catch. [Pakistan 2 runs for 1 wicket] At the other Shrisanth was in a different mode he allowed batsman to score over twenty runs, He might be thinking that as cricket is day by day is turning into batsman's game and as this is twenty -20 hence batsmen are with all rights of scoring at least 20 runs in a over. Pakistan reached to half way mark with scoring at about 7 runs per over for the loss of four wickets. Things were started with taking shape of Indian victory with brilliant bowling display by Irfan Pathan [4-0-16-3] and R.P. Singh [4-0-26-3] and it looked that India is going for a easy victory. Harbhajan's third and innings 17th over proved the twister as 19 runs were scored of it and score of 15 runs from the 18th over had insured that all is not over yet. The game extended to last over with 13 needed runs for victory for Pakistan. Joginder Singh started with a wide making it 12 from six. The first legal ball of the over was dark; the next ball was shown the sky direction to sail over the boundary for six making it 6 runs required from 4 balls, an easy target in any format of cricket. When Singh started to deliver the third ball of the over, millions of heart beats of Indian fans went under temporary suspension, a slightly short pitched ball was paddled up in the direction of sky and millions of heart beats were falling down with the downwards journey of ball. What a relief, ball rest into hands of ShreeSanth and victory celebrations were on. India won the first twenty-20 world cup.

It all was loosing the attitude for not more than a fraction of second by Pakistani players. They fail to score 1 run from last two balls in the group match; they fail to score 6 runs from last 4 balls of final.

Once in the blue moon - will India repeat it?

Once in the blue moon - will India repeat it?

Who had thought of it? It is just dream come to true. No one was aiming for the excitement, thrill and play of nerves, when this bonanza of the shortest version of cricket, twenty -20 world cup was went under the getting started in the South Africa early this month on 11th of September.

The first glimpse of golden uncertainty of the game started to get shape of reality with the defeat of ODI, World Champions Australia at the hands of Zimbabwe by 5 wickets on 12th September at Cape Town and of mighty West Indians by the Bangladesh by 5 wickets and 12 balls [2 overs] to spare at Johannesburg.

Indians started the tournament as was expected from them with a 10 runs defeat at the hands of kiwis, it was second outing for Indians but as their first match against the Scotland was washed out by rain hence this was the first appearance of Indian players on the ground. Things were not working in the favor of Indians but Dho…..Dho…..Dhoni , Indian captain was looking forward to apply the things and plans in a different style and Indians hopes were back to life with the most excited and thrilled moments of tournament "The Bowl out" India emerged as winner by 3-0 and kept their record of not being beaten by Pakistan in any of World Cup match. The next match was war of existence and a record 12 ball half century and six sixes in single over by Yuvraj Sing proved sufficient to show the exit gates to English team. Now it was turn of home team to feel the edge of killing axe of Indians on the 20th September at Durban and Indians not defeated them but also by winning by 37 runs have stopped their further progress in the tournament this also helped to make the myth stronger that luck never favors South Africa on the decisive moments in any bigger tournament.

Indians were to face World Champions Australia in the Semis, by the start of match Pakistan has defeated Kiwis and was waiting to know the opposition for the grand finale at wonders. India with winning sprit was in good position to take revenge to defeat in the Final of last ODI world cup held in the same country as Australians were playing without their regular captain and star batsman Ricky Pointing and the teams has already defeated by Zimbabwe and Pakistan in this tournament only even in the presence of Pointing.

Indians are playing this tournament under the young and inexperienced captaincy of M.S. Dhoni, who seems to live with and believe in the realization of marvelous line "Wars are fought and won in the minds and not the grounds". His attitude, temperament and motivation powers are lying in the words which he spoke Jogindar Sharma while tossing up the ball for the final over of the match "Don't get panic, Australian will be going under sever nervous pressure than you, as they have to score 22 runs from your these six balls."


The arch rivals are going in for the war of supremacy on Monday 24th September and will put everything from their armory for winning this. The ever first clash to two Nations, where cricket is not just a game, it is a life style, passion and religion, is going to prove the true thrill and excitement and a real once in blue moon clash for the cricketers all over the world. This is not going to be a game of bat and ball surely it going to be war of nerves, ability to handle pressure, and above all emotions of working beyond ones capacities for the pride of Nation. Surely Indians are holding upper hand as they have reached this by defeating top teams, like England, South Africa and World Champions Australia and that to with gradually increasing enthusiasm and killing instinct and will be feeling comparatively less pressure as in the absence of three star batsman Sachin, Sourav and Rahul, it was not expected from young team even reaching to semis. Young Indians are aware that when they will go into wonders ground, they will have nothing to loose, it will be gain all the way and inspiring and motivating leadership of Dhoni is boosting their morals to win the ultimate pride of the game. They also know that their opponent Pakistani players are going under the tremendous pressure of the situations, Pakistan till date never succeeded winning a world cup match against India. Three top Pakistani bowlers failed in "Bowl out" where as even part time Indian bowlers succeeded to hit the stamps every time. Pakistani players know that loosing here will bring this in lime light and will back troublesome to their back home journey. All this is adding and working for an Indian victory in ever first Twenty-20 World cup. If you ask me I will go for 70-30 in favor of India , but as the cricket is the glorious game of uncertain glories, It is always unwise and dangerous to predict any thing before the last ball is bowled, but that is even not sufficient, we all know what happened after the last ball of the match between these two arch rivals in this world cup. Any way this is neither a hope nor a prediction but a faith India is capable of repeating and will repeat win over Pakistan.