The semi finals match ups have been decided and though we have 3 sub continental teams which were predicted by many before the WC , few would have expected New Zealand to qualify and South Africa to get eliminated. Many would say that South Africa's chokers tag is here to stay and the misery which could not be eradicated by Cronje's intellect could not have been removed by Smith's tweets before the World Cup. SA would have thought that picking the most diverse bowling attack and hiding Tahir from the other teams would give the missing link and complete the circle . Instead they are back to the same vicious circle of mental strength to get out of tricky situations and hope that Gary Kirsten would oblige them at the end of his India assignment to break it.
The caravan moves on , we move on and what better than having a billion people supporters for the 3 subcontinent teams of the World Cup. India meeting Pakistan at the close to the border city of Mohali is as close as these countries can get to war and the hand of Samjhauta has been extended by Manmohan Singh to Geelani for only the World Cup match of course. Pakistan will realise that this is their best chance for a world cup final not looking further to the title Mohali being the best pitch favoring their strong bowling and iffy batting while chasing. The Indian team look like they are peaking and chasing a dream either for themselves or for Sachin. Both teams have extrapolated the fact that beating the World cup champions is equivalent to winning the title. Pakistan may play Shoaib Akhtar to hustle the Indian batting lineup and use spin of Hafeez, Ajmal & Afridi to stifle it from getting to a competitive total. Mohali is a pitch where many would know that the toss would be irrelevant and the dew factor could come into play. Still the Indian line up whether batting or bowling looks fragile but it would be easy for Dhoni to paper the cracks and prevent it from total breakdown for the vital two matches.
As the temperature rises in the city of Mohali going into the long summer, it doesn't require Gay Lussac's law to state the relationship to the pressure felt by the teams especially India. So knowing fully well that it is the last but one, both teams will feel that it lasts till the end .
Let the game begin , last the distance and make it enjoyable for the common man not withstanding chewed nails , heart breaks and higher TRPs.
1 comment:
The title of the post speaks volumes for your optimism. particularly liked the way u ened the post. I must confess that the 'for Sachin' that I keep seeing is a tall ask for any player. Lets say...'for the country'. I do understand the sentiments that it goes to convey though I do believe a lion's share of what a player plays must first be for his nation and to prove a point to himself and of course to a legend like Sachin. In that order is my opinion.
Nice post. Waiting for your summing up the final feel of the amazing win!
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